Eskom’s Cape Town nuclear site approved — here’s what to know

After nearly eight years of deliberation, Environment Minister Dion George has granted Eskom environmental clearance to move forward with plans for a new nuclear power station in Duynenvoorten, just outside Cape Town.

This approval marks an important milestone, though it is only one part of a broader process that Eskom must navigate before full project authorisation is secured.

Back in 2017, the government initially approved the development of another nuclear facility. However, that decision faced legal challenges from various environmental organisations, highlighting ongoing concerns about nuclear energy expansion in South Africa.

The issue remains contentious, especially following the 2017 Western Cape High Court ruling that declared three international nuclear agreements unconstitutional—an event that significantly impacted civil society and environmental groups.

Minister George confirmed he conducted a thorough review of Eskom’s environmental impact assessment and the independent peer evaluations before reaching his decision. The proposed site, Duynefontein, is adjacent to South Africa’s sole nuclear power station, Koeberg, currently operated by Eskom.

While this environmental clearance allows Eskom to proceed with preparatory steps, George emphasised that further regulatory and procedural requirements must still be met before construction can begin.

At a recent G20 summit, Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reiterated the government’s commitment to rebooting South Africa’s nuclear programme as part of its broader strategy to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.