State-owned special economic zone (SEZ) developer the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) and State-owned Eskom have established a three-year strategic framework for cooperation in support of South Africa’s Nuclear New Build Programme (NNBP).

The two State-owned entities will collaborate across key focus areas, including infrastructure development, industrialisation and localisation, regulatory and site readiness, skills and supplier development, logistics coordination and socioeconomic investment initiatives.

The parties will work jointly to advance site-readiness initiatives, logistics and laydown area development, documentation and configuration management, environmental compliance, spatial planning and the development of a competitive domestic nuclear value chain.

The partnership strengthens institutional collaboration in support of long-term energy security, says Eskom chief nuclear officer Velaphi Ntuli.

“The partnership is a statement of shared intent and alignment on a unified approach in dealing with socioeconomic issues under a sound regulatory framework.

“The NNBP is about industrialisation, organisation, skills development and inclusive economic growth that is executed safely, transparently and within the rule of law. The agreement must move us to tangible outcomes for the people of South Africa,” he says.

The partnership aims to leverage Coega’s proven record in executing complex infrastructure projects, facilitating industrial development, and enabling localisation and supplier participation.

It will leverage its expertise in large-scale infrastructure development, investment facilitation, SEZ management, skills development and enterprise and supplier development to support nuclear deployment objectives, the two organisations say.

The agreement positions Coega as a key strategic partner in supporting South Africa’s nuclear ambitions, says CDC CEO Themba Koza.

“We aim to ensure the NNBP delivers inclusive growth, localisation, skills development and sustainable economic participation, particularly for communities in the Eastern Cape,” he says.

Key areas of cooperation include coordinated stakeholder engagement processes; localisation and skills development initiatives aligned with national nuclear competency requirements and development of project labour management frameworks.

The organisations will also cooperate on supplier and SMME development; mobilisation of development finance; environmental management and compliance; and the implementation of targeted social investment programmes, including education, work-readiness and life skills development initiatives.

Further, to support effective implementation, a joint steering committee will be established that will provide strategic oversight, approve joint work programmes, monitor progress and facilitate alignment on regulatory, operational and strategic matters.