South Africa To Get Power Boost

South African utility Eskom could build a new R120bn nuclear plant this year, writes South Africa's Business Daily.

The company is expected to give the go-ahead for the plant by the middle of this year, which could start generating electricity from 2016.

Eskom says it wants to double capacity to 80,000MW over the next two decades, with nuclear power making up about half of the output.

Power shortages hit crisis point in January with daily blackouts disrupting the country and halting the mining industry.

French nuclear power company Areva and US-based Westinghouse Electric have both submitted bids to build the plant and to provide up to 20,000MW of nuclear power by 2025.

Eskom has identified five possible sites for the new plant, including Koeberg, and is currently in the process of gaining environmental-impact approvals.

Last month, Areva announced plans to build 12 next generation power plants in South Africa in partnership with South African engineering company Aveng.

Head of Areva, Anne Lauvergeon, is due to visit the country with French President Nicolas Sarkozy later this month.

By staff writer