Having been involved in South African utility Eskom's extensive coal development during the 1980s and 1990s, I understood the right time for Eskom to commence building new power stations. Unfortunately, as the 20th century came to a close, vested interests persuaded the government to curb Eskom's coal expansion and regulate it through an integrated resource plan (IRP). At that time, Eskom was making significant progress with a large nuclear energy procurement program, which could have eased our energy crisis, stimulated economic growth, and saved our industry. However, this endeavor was disrupted by the global financial crisis in 2008.

As planning for electricity capacity was taken out of the hands of competent engineers and placed in the hands of unprepared stakeholders, electricity demand began to exceed supply, leading to load shedding in South Africa in early 2008. In response to the energy crisis, the government hurriedly initiated the construction of the Medupi and Kusile power stations. Due to the loss of skilled resources at Eskom, these complex coal power projects experienced significant cost and schedule overruns, challenges we continue to face today.

Our new energy planners were swayed by the "climate narrative" and placed their faith in weather-dependent renewable energy sources, exacerbating our energy crisis, which has persisted to this day, along with a struggling economy.

Transitioning from coal to renewables overnight, as advocated by the Just Energy Transition, has proven globally to be an unrealistic goal promoted by vested interests. Low-density, weather-dependent technologies cannot replace base-load fossil power due to insufficient natural resources and the environmental impact. The reliability and performance of Eskom's coal power plants can be improved in the short to medium term, and these plants can be successfully repurposed using Gas Turbines and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), while retaining and upskilling the existing workforce.

South Africa has an abundance of coal, with 80% of our electricity generated from it. While coal has provided affordable and reliable electricity, its high toxic emissions and waste have posed challenges both domestically and internationally. To address these issues and reduce the environmental impact, Eskom is investing in first-mile connectivity (FMC) projects that utilize mechanized piped conveyors to transport coal from production points to handling plants, reducing dust pollution, carbon emissions, and manual intervention.

However, it is essential to recognize that coal power remains crucial for South Africa's energy needs, as approximately 600 million people in the country still lack access to electricity. The transition away from coal must be managed carefully to ensure energy security and affordability while addressing environmental concerns.

A balanced energy portfolio that includes fossil fuels, renewables, hydro, and nuclear energy is essential for a sustainable energy system. Nuclear energy, in particular, can provide reliable, affordable, clean, and safe energy for decades, and South Africa has the capacity and expertise to develop this resource.

South Africa should focus on building local capacity in the nuclear energy sector, optimizing local content in nuclear projects, and leveraging its natural energy resources to drive economic growth and prosperity. It's time for South Africa to develop its recovery plan and pursue its path to prosperity.