Nuclear energy deal partner to be locked down this year
SOUTH AFRICA would conclude its nuclear energy deal before the year was out, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced yesterday.
“We will commence with the actual nuclear procurement process in the second quarter of this financial year to select a strategic partner or partners in a competitive, fair, transparent and cost-effective manner,” Joemat-Pettersson said while delivering her budget vote.
“We expect to present the outcome of this procurement process to cabinet by year-end.”
When completed, the new nuclear plant would generate about 9 600 megawatts of electricity. The first unit of the nuclear power station was expected to be commissioned by as early as 2023, the minister said.
South Africa had already signed intergovernmental agreements with various countries to pave the way for trade and procurement of nuclear technology.
“These agreements describe broad areas of nuclear co-operation and they differ on emphasis, based on the unique needs of each country,” said Joemat-Pettersson.
The agreements would be sent to Parliament for ratification.
Joemat-Pettersson said hundreds of students were being sent overseas for training in nuclear-related fields.
“In this regard, 50 trainees from government nuclear industry entities were sent to China in April 2015 for phase one nuclear training, and plans are under way to send an additional 250 trainees to China,” she said.
“The Russian Federation has offered five new nuclear scholarships at Masters degree level in nuclear physics this year, while South Korea has a standing programme to train South African students in Masters programmes in nuclear engineering.”