At the recent African power generation and distribution conference, nuclear energy experts discussed the case for developing South Africa's nuclear power programme. The conference was organised by the Nuclear Energy Agency of South Africa In addition, nuclear is considered a long-term solution to diversifying South Africa's energy mix and can supply the increasing energy needs of sub-Sahara's growing population and economy. However, a physics professor highlighted nuclear's disadvantages, including waste disposal, the potential for catastrophic accidents, the cost of building infrastructure and deconstruction. Before the country commits to nuclear, he called for a closer consideration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.
At the recent African power generation and distribution conference, nuclear energy experts discussed the case for developing South Africa's nuclear power programme. Nuclear is "the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly option," according to Rosatom, Russia's nuclear energy company. In addition, nuclear is considered a long-term solution to diversifying South Africa's energy mix and can supply the increasing energy needs of sub-Sahara's growing population and economy. However, a physics professor highlighted nuclear's disadvantages, including waste disposal, the potential for catastrophic accidents, the cost of building infrastructure and deconstruction. Before the country commits to nuclear, he called for a closer consideration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.