IN CONVERSATION WITH MR LOYISO TYABASHE Group Chief Executive Officer
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The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) has welcomed and expressed full support for the newly announced Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP 2025), unveiled by Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
The updated plan outlines South Africa’s long-term energy roadmap and places renewed emphasis on diversifying the country’s energy mix — including a significant role for nuclear power in ensuring long-term energy security and sustainability.
Necsa Group CEO, Loyiso Tyabashe, hailed the plan as a “bold and balanced” framework that recognises the value of nuclear energy alongside other sources in achieving the country’s socio-economic and climate objectives.
“The IRP 2025 is a bold plan that acknowledges the role of nuclear energy in achieving South Africa’s energy security, socio-economic, and climate goals, alongside other energy sources,” said Tyabashe. “Necsa is ready to respond to the Minister’s call through our strategy, which includes re-establishing the nuclear fuel cycle, advancing small modular reactors (SMRs), and expanding nuclear skills development.”
The plan allocates 5,200 MW of new generation capacity to nuclear energy — a move Tyabashe says “opens the door for a robust nuclear build programme” that will support a sustainable and resilient energy system.
Necsa Board Chairperson, David Nicholls, said the corporation is well-positioned to leverage its decades of nuclear expertise to drive economic development and create skilled employment opportunities.
Nicholls also welcomed Cabinet’s decision to lift the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) project out of care and maintenance and transfer it to Necsa. The project’s Helium Testing and nuclear fuel facilities are already housed within Necsa, which, Nicholls said, “will allow us to build on existing progress and scale the project effectively.”
“Our plan is to become a leading supplier of small modular reactors — enabling the repurposing of decommissioned coal plants, supporting off-grid energy users, and powering smaller grids across Africa,” he added.
As a state-owned entity with a mandate to advance nuclear technology and innovation, Necsa reaffirmed its commitment to executing its responsibilities in line with the objectives of the IRP 2025.
“Nuclear energy will ensure that South Africa achieves a truly just energy transition,” said Tyabashe.
The updated plan outlines South Africa’s long-term energy roadmap and places renewed emphasis on diversifying the country’s energy mix — including a significant role for nuclear power in ensuring long-term energy security and sustainability.
Necsa Group CEO, Loyiso Tyabashe, hailed the plan as a “bold and balanced” framework that recognises the value of nuclear energy alongside other sources in achieving the country’s socio-economic and climate objectives.
“The IRP 2025 is a bold plan that acknowledges the role of nuclear energy in achieving South Africa’s energy security, socio-economic, and climate goals, alongside other energy sources,” said Tyabashe. “Necsa is ready to respond to the Minister’s call through our strategy, which includes re-establishing the nuclear fuel cycle, advancing small modular reactors (SMRs), and expanding nuclear skills development.”
The plan allocates 5,200 MW of new generation capacity to nuclear energy — a move Tyabashe says “opens the door for a robust nuclear build programme” that will support a sustainable and resilient energy system.
Necsa Board Chairperson, David Nicholls, said the corporation is well-positioned to leverage its decades of nuclear expertise to drive economic development and create skilled employment opportunities.
Nicholls also welcomed Cabinet’s decision to lift the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) project out of care and maintenance and transfer it to Necsa. The project’s Helium Testing and nuclear fuel facilities are already housed within Necsa, which, Nicholls said, “will allow us to build on existing progress and scale the project effectively.”
“Our plan is to become a leading supplier of small modular reactors — enabling the repurposing of decommissioned coal plants, supporting off-grid energy users, and powering smaller grids across Africa,” he added.
As a state-owned entity with a mandate to advance nuclear technology and innovation, Necsa reaffirmed its commitment to executing its responsibilities in line with the objectives of the IRP 2025.
“Nuclear energy will ensure that South Africa achieves a truly just energy transition,” said Tyabashe.
