Civil society organisations have joined growing criticism of the Department of Electricity and Energy’s proposed expansion of nuclear energy in the recently released draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), raising concerns about its financial viability and even its legality.

Summary of the draft IRP

Released in January 2025, the draft IRP’s purpose is to provide a roadmap for meeting South Africa’s forecasted electricity demand and was originally prepared under Minister Mantashe in the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy but the responsibility has since been handed over to the new Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.