Reuters: South Africa's advanced nuclear reactor technology programme will include U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric as a partner and a new shareholders' contract is expected by the end of the month, an official said last week.

South Africa is currently testing elements of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) and wants to build 24-30 PBMR reactors for its own energy needs.

Lynette Milne, chief financial officer of Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Ltd (PBMR) set up in 1999 to develop and market the technology, said a new shareholders' contract will also include South Africa's government, the Industrial Development Corporation and power utility Eskom.