The global financial crisis and related impact on funding – particularly on the South African electricity utility Eskom – has prompted the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) company to consider near-term market opportunities based on customer requirements to service both the electricity and process heat markets.

According to Jaco Kriek, CEO of Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Ltd, discussions are underway with suppliers to put certain contracts on hold to prevent unnecessary spending. He emphasises, however, that no contracts have been cancelled.