South Africa is exploring the possibility of turning to Russia or Iran for the expansion of its civilian nuclear power capacity, according to a senior government minister. This potential shift could strain the country’s relations with the United States and further delay the renewal of a critical strategic energy pact.
South Africa, which currently operates Africa’s only nuclear power plant, Koeberg, is looking to add 2,500 megawatts of new nuclear capacity to address chronic electricity shortages that have severely impacted its economy. In addition to mitigating power outages, the expansion is seen as a key measure to reduce the country’s carbon emissions.
Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, emphasized that the government is open to offers from any country as long as the proposal is the best available. “We can’t have a contract that says Iran or Russia must not bid, we can’t have that condition,” Mantashe stated, reflecting his stance as a strong advocate for expanding the nation’s nuclear energy infrastructure. “If they are the best in terms of the offer on the table, we’ll take any (country),” he told Reuters.
This position has drawn criticism from the United States, which recently imposed sanctions on South Africa through an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The executive order, issued earlier this month, halts U.S. aid to South Africa, citing concerns about Pretoria’s growing ties with Iran, including alleged efforts to develop commercial, military, and nuclear cooperation with the country. However, South African officials have denied these claims, with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office stating that there is no bilateral cooperation with Iran on nuclear power or any nuclear-related technology.
While the U.S. government has not officially commented on the prospect of Russia or Iran assisting South Africa with its nuclear power expansion, the political tensions could complicate the renewal of a strategic energy agreement between the two countries. Analysts argue that the decision to engage with Russia or Iran could lead to a deeper rift with Washington, especially given the ongoing scrutiny of South Africa’s international relationships.
In addition to the geopolitical challenges, the process of expanding South Africa’s nuclear power capabilities has been delayed due to legal challenges. The opposition Democratic Alliance party, now part of the coalition government, successfully called for further consultation on the issue, resulting in the postponement of the tender for nuclear projects that was initially planned for 2024.
Despite these hurdles, the South African government remains determined to pursue nuclear energy as part of its broader strategy to modernize its energy sector and secure a more stable, sustainable power supply for the nation.
