South Africa is preparing to reactivate its Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) program, aiming to move the project from “care and maintenance” to active development by early 2026, according to Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The PBMR program, once considered a global leader in small modular reactor (SMR) technology, was halted in 2010 after an investment exceeding 10 billion rand ($577 million) without completing a demonstration unit, as reported by Reuters.
The revival aligns with South Africa’s broader energy strategy outlined in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which targets over 105 gigawatts of new generation capacity by 2039. The plan includes 5.2 GW of new nuclear capacity, 16 GW from gas, 34 GW from wind, and 25 GW from solar PV, aiming to reduce dependence on coal and achieve net-zero electricity generation by 2050, according to World Nuclear News.
Eskom, the state-owned power utility, currently operates Africa’s only commercial nuclear power station near Cape Town. The PBMR revival is expected to enhance the country’s nuclear capacity and help address ongoing energy challenges. Potential international partners for the project include China, South Korea, the U.S., and Russia, as highlighted by Reuters.
The revival of the PBMR program marks a significant step in South Africa’s efforts to diversify its energy mix, strengthen energy security, and position itself as a leader in advanced nuclear technology on the continent.
