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Tenders for the South African US$72bn nuclear programme will start in June

South Africa is expected to launch the tender for the nuclear new build programme (NNBP) in June, when the state utility company Eskom will issue requests for proposals. The deadline for bids will be in September 2017 and the proposal evaluation in December 2017. The winning bidder will be announced in March 2018 and the contract will be signed between March 2018 and December 2019.



South Africa aims to build about 9.6 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2030, at an estimated cost of US$34bn-US$84bn. The latest estimation points out a figure of R1tn (US$72bn). The new capacity will ease the country's reliance on its ageing fleet of coal-fired power plants.



In February 2017, Eskom received expressions of interest from 27 companies, including EDF, State Nuclear Power Technology (China), Rosatom and Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco), for the projects. Companies were invited in December 2016 to express their interest in the projects and to claim their willingness to provide information on nuclear costs and financing options.