Metro to revive power stations, explore nuclear and improve economic growth
The metro has ambitious plans to rejuvenate its two dormant power stations to achieve energy independence and improve economic growth.
Energy experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders gathered at the second annual Tshwane Energy Summit 2025, themed 'Energy is a Catalyst for Economic Development' on June 13 .
The event at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre focused on strategies to transform the metro's energy landscape and achieve energy security for its residents.
Plans to rejuvenate the 300MW Rooiwal and 180MW Pretoria West power stations were one of the subjects central to the discussions.
The two city-owned power stations have been inactive and non-operational for over a decade, with Pretoria West in poor condition and not producing electricity and Rooiwal operating below intended capacity.
According to COO Vuyo Zitumane, funding and strategies to reactivate the Pretoria West power station are in progress, with a new operational strategy for the plant.
'The Gauteng Infrastructure Funding Agency has come forward with due diligence and is looking at core funding for transaction advisors' service so that we know the potential that can be leveraged from that power station.'
She said the city plans to convert the plant and adopt a green approach, utilising the process of producing energy from gas to operate the facility.
'A similar process [of potential leverage] is going to be undertaken with the Rooiwal power station, however, it will probably continue to be a coal-powered station,' she said.
Zitumane emphasised the importance of building resilient energy systems that will enable the metro to keep the lights burning for its residents.
Energy experts shared insight and advice on more ways to produce sustainable and efficient energy for the metro and also create more employment.
Dr Kelvin Kemm, chairman of Stratek Global, pointed out the potential the metro has to explore nuclear energy.
He proposed it should start planning to build Small Modular Reactors (SMR) around the municipal region.
'SMR could supply reliable and stable electricity by being sited around the metro or clustered together in groups of two or four.'
Kemm said the area required for each group is only the size of a football field.
He added that not only will the building of such reactors supply reliable electricity for decades to come, but also provide many high-grade jobs.
The metro's revitalisation efforts are aimed at creating numerous job opportunities in various sectors, including construction, operations, and maintenance.
MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa emphasised that a consistent and dependable energy supply is essential for economic growth.
'A stable [and] reliable energy supply creates an environment where economic activities can thrive and investors can confidently grow in their businesses.
'Transformation of the energy landscape will create jobs that will bring dignity to the residents of Tshwane,' she said.
She added that increased energy capacity is also anticipated to stimulate local industries and attract further investments, contributing to the metro's economic growth.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- The Citizen
Summit hears Pretoria company's small nuclear reactor offers independence
As South African cities confront load-shedding and economic stagnation, the search for energy independence has never been more urgent. For the Tshwane metro and other municipalities, a new option has emerged in the form of a locally developed small modular reactor, designed by Pretoria engineers, that promises to change how cities generate and control their electricity. This option was recently discussed and caught a lot of attention at the Energy Summit 2025 held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The summit aimed to build a smarter energy system focused on powering a sustainable and inclusive future. It drew all stakeholders grappling with growing energy demands and pressure to transition towards clean, reliable energy sources, where Tshwane's energy future was the main theme. Developed by Pretoria-based company Stratek Global, the reactor offers a combination of safety, cost-efficiency, and energy security, making it an ideal fit for municipal deployment. Rekord spoke to a nuclear physicist and Stratek chairperson from Pretoria east, Dr Kelvin Kemm. He is confident that it can help municipalities. 'The reactor is designed specifically to be deployable at the municipal level. With this system, a municipality like Tshwane can own and operate its own nuclear power facility, independent of Eskom and free of geographic limitations.' He told Rekord that it is ideal for the metro, as unlike large-scale nuclear power plants, which require vast infrastructure and access to significant water sources, the reactor is self-contained and highly adaptable. He explained that gravity, natural cooling paths, and other physics functions have been used in design such that safety devices will fall into place naturally, under gravity, as cooling paths exist without active pumps running. When it comes to whether the metro would be able to use such a reactor if interested parties decide to commission the construction, he said, once the teams start building, it will take about five years to build the first reactor. 'This first one will take a year to 18 months for all the legal compliance, testing, and certification. From the second one onwards, construction will go faster.' He explained that the costs for such a reactor should be measured by how much the electricity will cost the customer. 'The electricity from the reactor will cost about the same as coal-fired electricity now. It is completely untrue that nuclear electricity will cost a huge amount,' stressed Kemm. He said there are huge economic benefits for the metro. During construction, hundreds of people will be employed in good-quality jobs, like any industrial construction. Construction materials will also be purchased from local suppliers. Tasks like forming metal parts, cutting, machining and high-integrity welding, and so on, all need to be performed and sourced. 'When the reactor is running, it will employ a couple of hundred people on a full-time basis. These range from engineers to skilled technicians to react to operators to draft craftsmen, such as plumbers and electricians. Many private companies will be involved, supplying goods and services on a regular basis.' According to Kemm, a representative from their Pretoria branch has twice travelled to a country in the Middle East to explain their proposal and architectural designs were carried out for that country, by Pretoria east architects JKDA. To him, it is a positive factor that South Africa has one of the oldest and most experienced nuclear regulators in the world. He said Stratek Global has an impressive building in Centurion, and there is a staff of some 150 people. 'They check and certify all issues concerning the design and construction of any nuclear system, to ensure the safety and protection of people and the environment.' He added that the principle of private or municipal ownership of electricity has already been established by the government for wind and solar systems. 'There is no reason why nuclear will be different. So, the metro, or groups of companies in Rosslyn, could install their own nuclear power. One reactor complex will fit easily on a piece of land the size of a football field. Such ownership is perfectly feasible. In fact, it is possible to have your own private grid,' he concluded. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
17-06-2025
- The Citizen
Metro to revive power stations, explore nuclear and improve economic growth
The metro has ambitious plans to rejuvenate its two dormant power stations to achieve energy independence and improve economic growth. Energy experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders gathered at the second annual Tshwane Energy Summit 2025, themed 'Energy is a Catalyst for Economic Development' on June 13 . The event at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) International Convention Centre focused on strategies to transform the metro's energy landscape and achieve energy security for its residents. Plans to rejuvenate the 300MW Rooiwal and 180MW Pretoria West power stations were one of the subjects central to the discussions. The two city-owned power stations have been inactive and non-operational for over a decade, with Pretoria West in poor condition and not producing electricity and Rooiwal operating below intended capacity. According to COO Vuyo Zitumane, funding and strategies to reactivate the Pretoria West power station are in progress, with a new operational strategy for the plant. 'The Gauteng Infrastructure Funding Agency has come forward with due diligence and is looking at core funding for transaction advisors' service so that we know the potential that can be leveraged from that power station.' She said the city plans to convert the plant and adopt a green approach, utilising the process of producing energy from gas to operate the facility. 'A similar process [of potential leverage] is going to be undertaken with the Rooiwal power station, however, it will probably continue to be a coal-powered station,' she said. Zitumane emphasised the importance of building resilient energy systems that will enable the metro to keep the lights burning for its residents. Energy experts shared insight and advice on more ways to produce sustainable and efficient energy for the metro and also create more employment. Dr Kelvin Kemm, chairman of Stratek Global, pointed out the potential the metro has to explore nuclear energy. He proposed it should start planning to build Small Modular Reactors (SMR) around the municipal region. 'SMR could supply reliable and stable electricity by being sited around the metro or clustered together in groups of two or four.' Kemm said the area required for each group is only the size of a football field. He added that not only will the building of such reactors supply reliable electricity for decades to come, but also provide many high-grade jobs. The metro's revitalisation efforts are aimed at creating numerous job opportunities in various sectors, including construction, operations, and maintenance. MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa emphasised that a consistent and dependable energy supply is essential for economic growth. 'A stable [and] reliable energy supply creates an environment where economic activities can thrive and investors can confidently grow in their businesses. 'Transformation of the energy landscape will create jobs that will bring dignity to the residents of Tshwane,' she said. She added that increased energy capacity is also anticipated to stimulate local industries and attract further investments, contributing to the metro's economic growth. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
eNCA
13-06-2025
- eNCA
Billions to cover debt and improve operations
PRETORIA - The Transport and Finance Ministers have approved a R51-billion lifeline for Transnet. This will help Transnet meet its debt obligations and reinvest in much-needed infrastructure. The rail and ports authority faces a maintenance backlog and widespread vandalism. Dr Mathetha Mokonyama, the CSIR's head of Transport Operations Systems, said that Transnet is currently experiencing a cash flow crisis and is servicing its large debt and requires structural intervention.
