As it seeks to significantly expand its nuclear power production, South Africa is also giving thought to restarting uranium enrichment efforts abandoned in the mid-1990s.
Reuters quoted a spokeswoman from state nuclear technology company Necsa as saying studies have indicated supply security will necessitate domestic enrichment when nuclear’s share of South African power generation rises to 13 percent. As South Africa builds a nuclear fleet estimated to need 465 metric tons of low-enriched uranium annually by 2030, Necsa will explore the development of enrichment technology or working with an international company.
The country’s energy plans call for an additional 9,600 megawatts of nuclear power. According to the World Nuclear Association, reactors currently generate 5.3 percent of the country’s electricity.
Necsa produced low-enriched uranium for the country’s power reactors at Koeberg from 1988 until 1995, according to the WNA. The country also has significant uranium oxide deposits.