Dear Member,
With the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Station continuing to generate discussion throughout our community, Kromme Enviro Trust believes it is important to share information and perspectives that can help residents better understand the issues involved.
The Kouga Business Forum recently hosted energy analyst and journalist Chris Yelland for a presentation on South Africa’s energy future, including the role of renewable energy, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and the case for and against new nuclear power.
Yelland stressed that he was not there to tell people what to think, but rather to present his analysis and encourage informed discussion. For communities such as ours, where national energy policy intersects with local environmental concerns, this is an important conversation to have.
One of the key messages from the presentation was the growing importance of renewable energy in South Africa’s future electricity mix. According to the current IRP, most new generation capacity over the coming decades is expected to come from wind, solar and energy storage technologies. Even by 2042, nuclear power is projected to contribute only a small portion of the country’s overall electricity supply.
A particularly interesting concept discussed was what Yelland called “planning under uncertainty.” Energy planners cannot accurately predict future electricity demand, technology costs, economic growth, fuel prices or the pace of innovation. Rather than making decisions based on a single forecast, he argued that South Africa should favour options that remain sensible across a range of possible futures. In his view, flexibility is increasingly valuable in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Yelland was careful to distinguish between safety and risk. He noted that nuclear power is one of the safest forms of electricity generation when measured by deaths per unit of energy produced, and that its carbon emissions are very low compared with fossil fuels. He acknowledged that while serious nuclear accidents are statistically rare, they can have significant financial and social consequences when they do occur. He therefore does not regard safety or environmental performance as the decisive arguments against nuclear energy.
Instead, his concerns centre on cost, timing and long-term financial risk. New nuclear power stations require lengthy regulatory processes and construction periods, meaning electricity from a new plant would likely only become available around 2040. He also argued that, when all costs are included, nuclear remains one of the most expensive electricity generation technologies available.
Another concern is what he described as “lock-in risk” this is around committing South Africa to a single technology, supplied by a single vendor and potentially linked to a single foreign partner for many decades. In a world where energy technologies are evolving rapidly, he questioned whether such long-term commitments offer sufficient flexibility.
For local communities, the discussion is particularly relevant. Yelland acknowledged that a project at Thyspunt could bring employment, infrastructure investment and economic activity. At the same time, he recognised concerns about the scale of development in an area known for its biodiversity and natural beauty, as well as the social pressures that accompany large construction projects.
While Kromme Enviro Trust and Chris Yelland may approach the Thyspunt debate from different perspectives, his presentation highlighted the importance of weighing all the evidence carefully. Decisions of this scale will shape both South Africa’s energy future and the future of communities such as ours for generations to come.
If you would like to learn more about the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Station, understand the issues being debated, or become involved in protecting this unique part of our coastline, we encourage you to visit the Kromme Enviro Trust at stfranciskrommetrust.co.za or the Thyspunt Alliance at thyspunt.org. Together, we can help ensure that decisions affecting this remarkable coastline are informed, transparent and respectful of the environmental, cultural and natural heritage that makes our region so special.
To get in touch directly, please drop a message to us at nuclear@stfranciskrommetrust.co.za