South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear power plant — the only operational nuclear facility on the African continent — has been granted a 20-year operating license extension for its second unit, ensuring continued operations until 2045.
The National Nuclear Regulator announced the decision after conducting extensive safety evaluations confirming the plant’s full compliance with regulatory standards.
The renewal follows a similar extension approved for Unit 1 last year, securing Koeberg’s role as a key contributor to South Africa’s energy stability for the next two decades, Business Insider Africa reports.
Located near Cape Town and commissioned in the 1980s, Koeberg has long served as a cornerstone of the country’s power grid, generating dependable baseload electricity and supplying 1,860 megawatts of clean energy.
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Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility and the operator of Koeberg, said the decision reinforces the nation’s commitment to energy security and aligns with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2025), which outlines South Africa’s transition to cleaner, sustainable energy sources.
“Koeberg’s 40-year milestone is a proud moment for South Africa and proof of our ability to operate complex infrastructure safely and sustainably,” said Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane.
The utility applied for the license extension amid persistent power shortages that have strained South Africa’s economy.
Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo, credited the plant’s long-term success to the dedication and technical expertise of its workforce, noting that their efforts have been instrumental in maintaining reliable electricity for millions of South Africans.
Across the continent, several African nations are exploring nuclear energy partnerships to meet growing power demands.
Russia’s state-owned Rosatom is at the forefront of these collaborations, backing major projects like Egypt’s 4,800MW El Dabaa nuclear power plant and offering technical support to Nigeria for modular reactor development.
As Africa pushes to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Koeberg stands as a symbol of operational excellence and a model for how nuclear energy—when managed responsibly—can strengthen energy security and support a sustainable future for the continent.
