Question NW1824 to the Minister of Energy
14 August 2017 - NW1824
Dlamini, Mr MM to ask the Minister of Energy
Why does her department still intend to pursue the nuclear energy option, in view of the findings contained in the 2016 report of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which indicates an increased annual cost of R90 billion compared to the cost of renewable energy (details furnished)?
Reply:
Pursuing the nuclear energy option is a declared intention of Government guided by the Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008 and Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030 (IRP 2010-2030). This option exists to ensure that key that key objectives of the National Development plan 2010-2030, especially on socio-economic development and job creation, are achieved. Since 2010, the IRP 2010-2030 has guided procurement of other technology options, some of which are already generating electricity to the national grid. The Department is currently in the process of updating the IRP and has consulted the stakeholders.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the stakeholders who have decided to make comments on the IRP base-case and assumptions, as requested by the Department in November 2016. The Department is engaging on various other inputs (including CSIR’s) made towards the finalisation of the in line with declared targets of the last quarter of the financial year 2017/18.
I believe the Department has recognised the importance of costs in this exercise and I believe it is important to afford us the room to engage and address all inputs we have received to date towards completing the task at hand.