The Western Cape could soon be hosting the nation's first mini nuclear reactor, a milestone expected as early as 2026. This ambitious project comes courtesy of South African venture capitalist André Pienaar's C5 Capital, which spearheads a consortium responsible for raising a substantial R9 billion in private investments to erect the innovative pebble-bed modular reactor (PBMR).

Comprising four units, each capable of generating 80MW of power, the mini reactor collectively delivers an impressive 320MW. This project represents the inaugural endeavor within a comprehensive plan to construct an extensive network of 1,800MW of similar reactors over the long term.

Pienaar anticipates that the per-reactor cost may decrease to between R4.5 billion and R5.5 billion as additional units are produced. The consortium is presently engaged in a feasibility study and will subsequently initiate formal discussions with Eskom to present their vision.

The chosen location for the reactor's construction is the same site as the Koeberg nuclear power station, a decision rooted in its prior approval for PBMR construction. Pelindaba near Hartbeespoort is the only other approved site for such a reactor.

The consortium is actively pursuing a license from the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, with plans to bring the reactor into service within the next three years, hoping to secure the license in early 2024.

C5 Capital, an investor in the US small reactor company X-Energy, aims to align the Western Cape plant's specifications with the world's first commercial-scale advanced nuclear reactor project undertaken by X-Energy in partnership with the US Department of Energy.

The development of mini nuclear reactor technology has seen progress over several decades, with US companies actively exploring its deployment. In January 2023, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission certified its first nuclear small modular reactor design, a 50MW advanced light-water model by NuScale Power.

The pivotal PBMR design, known for its rapid deployment and enhanced safety compared to larger nuclear reactors, traces its roots to the former Eskom PBMR company, where initial prototypes were conceived. Eskom's aspirations to construct a PBMR near Koeberg were ultimately halted due to mounting costs and a lack of investment.

Two prominent members of the original PBMR team, Eben Mulder and Martin van Staden, have found a new home at X-Energy, serving as the company's chief scientist and lead reactor developer, respectively.

The PBMR operates by utilizing a steel pressure vessel housing a graphite core filled with enriched uranium dioxide fuel "pebbles," each approximately the size of a billiards ball. Helium circulates through the pebble bed to extract heat, converting water into steam, which powers a turbine. Fresh pebbles are added daily at the top, replenishing the reactor, while older ones are discharged at the bottom. These pebbles can be reused for up to three years, recirculated through the core up to six times, thanks to their Tristructural Isotropic (Triso) coating, which provides an airtight seal around the uranium kernel.

This development opens the door to micro nuclear reactors, ranging from one to eight megawatts, and paves the way for constructing larger reactors through modular units. Safety is a cornerstone of these Mark 4 reactors, designed to automatically shut down and prevent meltdowns, incorporating the innovative 'pebble-bed' technology known as the Triso Fuel Energy model.

The groundwork laid by the PBMR program, active up to 2010, ensures that many regulatory frameworks and permits are already in place for South Africa's foray into small nuclear energy. The sites at Koeberg and Necsa in Pretoria have positioned South Africa to become a hub for small nuclear reactor construction. Exciting developments in the world of nuclear energy are on the horizon, with the potential for the first small reactors to come online around 2027, offering a promising and secure source of power for the future.

Earlier this year, AfriForum announced their intentions to start a nuclear power company using the same technology, and entered into consultation with C5 Capital themselves, among others. However, there has been no news on this project, and representatives were unavailable for comment.