After a decade of development, South Africa will this year start constructing the world’s first Generation IV nuclear power plant known as the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, or PBMR for short. Many experts, like well-known South African nuclear engineer Dr. Kelvin Kemm of Pretoria, believe this is a very positive development and he has this to say: “The PBMR is a revolutionary small reactor, about 10% the size of a conventional nuclear plant, and is gas-cooled and can be sited anywhere. The reactor is ideally suited for developing countries, being inexpensive and easy to operate. It is also ideal for the developed world too. This revolutionary design is walk-away safe and the PBMR is set to make its appearance all over the world.”