The Future of SA Nuclear Energy Post 123 Agreement

The research paper examines the implications of the lapsed 123 Agreement between the US and South Africa, which suspended export licenses for nuclear fuel supplier Westinghouse Electric Corporation. It details the critical life extension process at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, including the replacement of steam generators for Unit 1 and Unit 2, and notes that the plant provides approximately 6% of South Africa's electricity. The document highlights a deadlock in US-South Africa negotiations over South Africa's right to produce its own nuclear fuel, and notes a new Memorandum of Understanding between the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Russia's TVEL. Finally, it mentions South Africa's plan to procure an additional 2500 MW of nuclear power to combat loadshedding, despite past legal challenges to nuclear deals with Russia.

• The expiration of the 123 Agreement between the US and South Africa in 2022 led to the suspension of the export license for Westinghouse Electric Corporation, a key nuclear fuel supplier. While this has not yet caused significant problems for recent refuelling at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, it may create future difficulties.
• The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, the only nuclear station in Africa, provides roughly 6% of South Africa's total electricity. Eskom is working to extend its operational life from 2024 to 2045, a process involving the replacement of steam generators. Unit 1 resumed operation on 30 December 2023, while Unit 2 was taken offline on 11 December 2023 and is expected to remain so until September 2024.
• Negotiations for a new 123 Agreement with the US have reached a deadlock because South Africa insists on its right to produce its own nuclear fuel, a right supported by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Treaty of Pelindaba.
• Following a July 2023 Russia-Africa summit, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia's TVEL for the manufacture of nuclear fuel and components.
• South Africa announced on 12 December 2023 plans to procure an additional 2500 MW of nuclear power to address loadshedding, although the procurement and construction process is expected to take at least ten years.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2024). The Future of SA Nuclear Energy Post 123 Agreement. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-future-of-sa-nuclear-energy-post-123-agreement/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The Future of SA Nuclear Energy Post 123 Agreement. 2024. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-future-of-sa-nuclear-energy-post-123-agreement/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The Future of SA Nuclear Energy Post 123 Agreement |date=12 January 2024 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-future-of-sa-nuclear-energy-post-123-agreement/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2024future, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The Future of SA Nuclear Energy Post 123 Agreement}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2024}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-future-of-sa-nuclear-energy-post-123-agreement/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }