en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 27th, The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) is preparing to launch a tender for a multipurpose research reactor, aiming to maintain South Africa's position as one of the world's largest exporters of medical isotopes, which are used for diagnosing diseases such as cancer and heart conditions.

Loyiso Tyabashe, CEO of NECSA, stated that the company plans to build a new 20 to 30 megawatt (MW) power station by 2032/33.

Additionally, there are plans to extend the operational life of the 20 MW Safari-1 research reactor located in Pelindaba. Having been in operation since 1965, it is one of the world's largest producers of technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used in millions of diagnostic tests for cancer, heart disease, and other conditions.

NECSA is also about to initiate a pilot tender process for small modular reactors (SMRs), with a request for expressions of interest expected to be issued by the end of this month.

However, Loyiso Tyabashe declined to disclose the cost of the multipurpose reactor. He noted that, together with the SMR program, these two projects represent NECSA's largest investment in infrastructure, totaling 80 billion rand (approximately 4.7 billion US dollars), aimed at rebuilding South Africa's nuclear capabilities.