Pretoria designers’ unique nuclear reactor in demand

The development of a Small Modular Nuclear Reactor in Pretoria by South Africans who are mostly Pretoria residents over 20 years, is an achievement all residents of the capital city can be proud of.

This was said by Kelvin Kemm, a nuclear scientist, after the signing of a partnership agreement between his company and a French firm specialising in delivering high-value energy and infrastructure projects.
Kemm is also the former chairman of the Nuclear Energy Company of South Africa and chairman of Pretoria firm Stratek Global.

He said the agreement would help to advance and deploy South African nuclear reactors on the continent.

This week another African delegation will be arriving in Pretoria for such discussions.

“The potential for the economy of Pretoria is massive. South Africa is now in a position to export nuclear reactors into Africa and elsewhere in the world. The reactor developed is a world-leading design,” confirmed Kemm.

He explained that the reactor is entirely a Pretoria achievement, which built on work in places like the Pebble Bed nuclear project in Centurion and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, and universities like the University of Pretoria and North West University.

He believes what is now necessary is for the government and industry to show their support and enable Pretoria businessmen to build nuclear reactor production facilities in the area to supply South Africa and other countries.

“The potential export earnings are massive. Potential job creation is massive. We need to see some courage and foresight from private companies who want to become involved in this exciting venture,” said Kemm.

Kemm, a resident of Pretoria east, said his dream is to spread small nuclear reactors across Africa.

“There is a need for African countries to establish their own reliable electricity supply, coupled with energy security.”

Together with his team, feasibility studies and site selection for initial projects will soon begin.

“We have been approached by a number of countries who realise that their future lies in the reliability and flexibility of nuclear power. Also quite intriguing is that we have been approached by provinces, municipalities, individual companies, and even agricultural groupings, who have realised that they can own their own nuclear reactor, due to its small size and feasible economics.”

Henri-Guillaume Gueydan, president of Groupe Albatros said that due to the combined expertise and experience of the companies, much of the reactor can be built indoors in a factory production-line process, using advanced manufacturing techniques and precision quality assurance.

“This is a giant leap forward for nuclear power worldwide,” said Gueydan.

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