Thyspunt returns to centre of South Africa’s Nuclear 2 debate

Eskom’s latest site assessment and a lengthy draft scoping report have brought Thyspunt back into the spotlight in the long‑running discussion about a second phase of nuclear power development in South Africa.

What’s been released

Eskom released a 2,000‑page draft environmental scoping report in April as part of a renewed site assessment process for what is known as “Nuclear 2.” The draft was published for public comment on 1 April, and the initial deadline for responses was 5 May. The Thyspunt Alliance secured a three‑week extension for public input.

Site changes in the new report

According to the scoping report, Bantamsklip will not be considered for the final environmental impact assessment. The report has effectively revived attention on Thyspunt as a potential site.

How we got here a brief history

Thyspunt was first identified in the 1970s as one of four possible sites for a nuclear power station, alongside Pelindaba, Bantamsklip and Koeberg. Construction of Koeberg began in 1976, and its reactor came online in 1984.

When government revisited options for “Nuclear 2” in the 1990s, Thyspunt emerged as Eskom’s initial preference, followed by Pelindaba and Bantamsklip. The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment later designated Thyspunt a “greenfields” area mainly used for agriculture and removed it as a possible location for a pebble bed reactor; Pelindaba was also dropped. The government then identified Duynefontein where Koeberg is located as the preferred site because it would have a materially smaller ecological impact.

Assessments and pauses

Eskom began a fuller environmental impact assessment in 2006 that continued until 2017, when the government decided to move the project to Duynefontein for ecological reasons. The Nuclear 2 initiative was subsequently placed on hold.

In December last year, Eskom launched its newest site assessment project, culminating in the April release of the 2,000‑page draft scoping report now open for comment.

What this means

The release of the draft scoping report and the removal of Bantamsklip from consideration have rekindled debate over where, and whether, a second phase of nuclear power will proceed. Public submissions and the environmental assessment process will determine the next steps.