SOUTH Africa is set to make history with the construction of Africa’s first privately funded small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). Energy technology firm Stratek Global has secured land in the North West province, near the Gauteng border, to build its demonstration SMR plant — a major leap forward in the country’s efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.
The project has been greenlit through a formal land agreement with the Matlosana Municipality and will be anchored around the HTMR-100, a high-temperature gas-cooled modular reactor designed by Stratek. The unit will not only generate power but also serve as a training and demonstration facility to support local skills development in nuclear science and engineering.
What makes the HTMR-100 unique?
The HTMR-100 is a next-generation small modular nuclear reactor designed to produce 35 MW of electricity or 100 MW of thermal energy. Unlike conventional reactors, which require large-scale water cooling systems, the HTMR-100 uses helium gas as a coolant and graphite as a moderator. This makes it safer, water-independent, and ideal for deployment in dry or remote regions.
The reactor is modular and can be factory-built and transported for installation — a key advantage in a country like South Africa, where energy needs are dispersed and infrastructure development faces geographic constraints.
Private investment enters South Africa’s nuclear space
Unlike the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station – South Africa’s only commercial reactor operated by state utility Eskom – the HTMR-100 is privately funded. Stratek Global, under the leadership of nuclear physicist Dr. Kelvin Kemm, is spearheading this R9-billion project with backing from private investors and international partners. This marks a new chapter for nuclear energy in the country, as independent projects like this one pave the way for more agile, scalable, and investor-driven energy solutions that operate outside of government bottlenecks.
SMRs offer a clean energy solution for heavy industry
Small modular reactors are gaining global traction for their ability to provide stable, low-carbon power to industries such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, sectors where energy reliability is essential.
Stratek’s SMR aims to fill the gaps left by intermittent renewable sources and ageing coal plants, while offering a zero-emissions alternative to diesel and gas.
With rollout plans extending beyond South Africa into neighbouring African countries, the HTMR-100 could catalyse a continental shift in how clean energy is produced and distributed.
What’s next for the project?
Stratek Global plans to complete the demonstration unit by 2030. If successful, it could trigger a wave of SMR deployments across Africa and position South Africa as a leader in small-scale nuclear innovation.
The project arrives at a critical time, as the country grapples with energy shortages, infrastructure challenges, and mounting pressure to meet climate commitments. The rise of small modular nuclear reactors in South Africa could be the turning point in achieving both energy security and decarbonisation goals.
