Eskom a WWF worry

THE Department of Environmental Affairs has announced its approval of the Final Environmental Impact Report which allows Eskom to proceed with a second nuclear installation in Duynefontein near Koeberg in the Western Cape.

Saliem Fakir, senior manager policy and futures unit with World Wide Fund for Nature-SA (WWF), says that even though some are celebrating the fact that Thyspunt, near Cape St Francis, is no longer the preferred site for the development of a new nuclear power plant, pushing the nuclear power programme is bad news. This does not spell the end of nuclear power but rather shifts the conflict elsewhere.

The important issue here is that fundamental questions remain as to whether we need a nuclear investment, given the dark cloud which continues to hang over Eskom and the many irregularities that have been raised about the utility’s performance.

In the light of poor governance at Eskom and the very weak state of South Africa’s economy we should take a step back, reflect and reconsider our priorities. This is not the time for rash decisions, but a time for prudence. Making the right decision is a task for all South Africans and cannot be left to Eskom alone.”

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with almost six million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.

Its mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that for more than 40 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the well-being of all our people.