OUTA questions why government is forging ahead with its nuclear build programme

Outa has  says it's waiting for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to publish more details about its decision taken this week and in which it gives government the green light to go ahead with the controversial new 2 500 MW programme.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) confirmed the approval in a statement released on Friday evening.

Outa spokesperson Liz McDaid says nuclear will not solve the country’s immediate power crisis. 

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“It’s Covid right now and a nuclear power plant will take 10-15 years to build and that is not going to solve our energy crisis now. Again the question is why, we don’t have the answer to why but we are very interested to hear what the national energy regulator has to say when they issue their record of the decision. “ 

The DMRE says in its statement that it will now go ahead with preparations for the procurement, which will start with the issuing of the Request for Proposal (RFP) at the end of the 2021/22 financial year. 

The Department aims to complete the procurement of the 2 500MW nuclear programme in 2024 in line with the five-year Strategic Plan and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework to ensure security of energy supply.