Africa's only nuclear power plant is producing half its 2016 peak

  • South Africa’s Koeberg has been Africa’s only commercial nuclear power station since 1984.
  • Africa produced just 7.8 TWh of nuclear power in 2024, far below France’s 380 TWh and the US’ 823 TWh.
  • Egypt’s El Dabaa plant could change Africa’s nuclear map, adding 4,800 MW when completed.
  • Africa’s nuclear challenge is no longer just generation, but whether countries can finance, regulate, build, and sustain nuclear programmes.

For 40 years, one country generated all of Africa’s commercial nuclear power. That could soon change.

Since 1984, South Africa’s Koeberg has been the continent’s only commercial nuclear power station. One plant for a continent of 1.4 billion people — 600 million of whom still have no electricity at all.

In 2024, Africa’s total nuclear output was 7.8 terawatt-hours. France alone produced 380 TWh. The US generated more than 823 TWh.

For a continent with fast-rising electricity demand, the gap is staggering.

African leaders and energy officials are meeting in Kigali this week around one major question: can nuclear ambition become reality?

Egypt is already constructing the four-reactor El Dabaa plant, Kenya recently invited reactor vendors for its planned programme, and South Africa is reviving parts of its small modular reactor ambitions.

For four decades, Koeberg stood alone. Africa’s nuclear story is no longer only about keeping Koeberg alive — it is increasingly about whether other countries can actually build and sustain nuclear programmes of their own.

Source:

Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy 2025

Period:

1984-2024
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