Forget about nuclear power in SA

Bradley Prior

Bradley Prior

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Forget about nuclear power in SA

South Africa’s economy has taken a number of very heavy body blows recently. These include a slowdown due to measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19, on top of increased state dysfunctionality due to corruption. The country has also just experienced the worst riots since it became a democracy in 1994.
 
Bradley Prior said:
Forget about nuclear power in SA

South Africa’s economy has taken a number of very heavy body blows recently. These include a slowdown due to measures taken to control the spread of COVID-19, on top of increased state dysfunctionality due to corruption. The country has also just experienced the worst riots since it became a democracy in 1994.
Click to expand...
Worst riots Ever
 
Nuclear is still the cleaner energy for base load and is dependable on output. Other nuclear tech should be explored and many options now exist. Forget coal. Solar and wind only work when there is sun or wind. Battery storage for base loads is not completely feasible.
 
WalkWithMe said:
Nuclear is still the cleaner energy for base load and is dependable on output. Other nuclear tech should be explored and many options now exist. Forget coal. Solar and wind only work when there is sun or wind. Battery storage for base loads is not completely feasible.
Click to expand...
I think the main argument against has nothing to do with the tech, it's solid and it makes sense from a planning and engineering perspective.

Politics is the main reason against it. Politicians will abuse the nuclear regulations to ensure that the process is as corrupt as possible and so expense that it can never get cancelled and run 10x over budget.
 
You can tell an ANC politician; in one hand is the solution to all of South Africa's problems, health, education, jobs, wealth,... and in the other is a tender where you can make 5 thousand rand. 10/10 times they will take the 5 grand.... If Gwende can make money from nuclear tender then nuclear is on the table even if it needs to be done with pensions and cutting funding to services the people desperately need.
 
I am just wondering what would happen if they build a new nuclear plant, 50 years later when it is eventually completed at 1 million times the initial budget and is already due to be mothballed, the population rises up again to free Duduzane Zuma or one of the Zumas that's relevant at that time and sets fire to the plant.

A badly built nuclear plant meets a group of people that loves setting things on fire = no need for lights as SA will glow in the dark.
 
What if they loot it?
Too dangerous to keep in this country
 
Not in the equation is that globally there may be a demand to shut down big coal plants as global warming wreaks more an more havoc.
 
WalkWithMe said:
Nuclear is still the cleaner energy for base load and is dependable on output. Other nuclear tech should be explored and many options now exist. Forget coal. Solar and wind only work when there is sun or wind. Battery storage for base loads is not completely feasible.
Click to expand...
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It's also the issue with governments 5am to 9pm renewable output always, you need a mix and match.
Battery pricing is also coming down.

Nuclear is by far the most expensive per MWh, CSP is coming down and can handle night etc..

There is no real "other" nuclear tech, and yes, there is still money in research there.
 
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