Piet Croucamp
Abstract
The regulatory framework governing nuclear energy in South Africa is a subject of political contention. The potential for a public-private partnership (PPP) in the nuclear energy sector (hybridity) stands out as a viable solution to the country’s energy challenges. Notably, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) emerge as the most promising technology to facilitate this hybrid approach. This paper aims to assess the legislative framework, along with international cooperative agreements, to determine the likelihood of PPP-hybridity in the SMR-driven nuclear energy realm. Achieving hybridity necessitates consensus and compromises among political elites, bureaucrats, and entrepreneurs regarding funding models and managerial control. The research methodology is qualitative, involving interviews with experts to construct an explanatory narrative for PPPs and SMRs. The expected findings could inform a policy and legislative framework to establish a PPP nuclear energy hybridity. The concept of PPP hybridity in South Africa, especially concerning nuclear energy, remains an underdeveloped area of study. The approach is a qualitative analysis to comprehend the intricate hybrid nature of PPPs and SMRs, considering their diverse applications, regulatory frameworks, and socio-economic implications. The scope of this article does not include indulging in the scientific variations of SMRs.