Eskom seeks extension on feedback

ESKOM said yesterday it was in contact with the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to extend the comment period for interested and affected parties with regard to its application for the Nuclear Installation Site Licence.

The NNR said last month it had completed its initial review of the licence applications in Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape and in Duynefontyn in the Western Cape which had been submitted to it by Eskom in March.

The NNR said it had found both applications to be com- pliant with relevant national policies, as well as the NNR Act and associated regulations, and had accepted the applications for further processing.

Eskom followed this by publishing notices in 10 newspapers in and around Thyspunt and Duynefontyn, including the Western Cape Provincial Gazette, requesting interested and affected people to send their comments to the NNR by Monday.

The notice in the Eastern Cape Provincial Gazette was published only on August 8.

“While the notices in the 10 newspapers and the Western Cape Provincial Gazette complied with the period of 30 days that is prescribed in the National Nuclear Regulator Act, the notice in the Eastern Cape Provincial Gazette did not,” Eskom said.

“We are therefore engaging with the NNR to re- advertise the notice in the Eastern Cape Provincial Gazette and additionally in the National Government Gazette to give more time for public comment. Eskom will communicate once the NNR has given a response.” – ANA