An expert panel is expected to be convened to advise Energy and Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on government’s planned procurement of some 2 500MW of nuclear energy to the grid.
The Minister revealed this during a media briefing on the sidelines of the Nuclear Seminar held in Gauteng on Thursday.
“We’re putting together an expert team that will advise me in relation to the pace and scale that we can afford. Once we answer that question then we will be able to articulate on the public consultation process, what the timelines are and then simultaneously we’ll begin to work out a procurement framework.
“It is the procurement framework that we will then take to Cabinet to seek an in principle approval of the framework. The actual execution of that procurement will be discharged through an avenue that we will announce,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that as it takes care of its people, government has a right to choose which sources of energy it taps into.
“As a country we reserve the right to determine what are those technologies and fuel sources that we are going to use. That is a sovereign right. We do accept that in the energy complex that are opposed to this or that technology.
“To the extent that we can justify and illustrate that it’s in the interest of the sovereign, we will pursue that,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the department is open to having frank conversations about the sources of energy powering the country.
“The conversations are democratic, they are open. We are going to discuss all technologies, all fuel sources because all of them are needed to help us…on the energy side. But also to ensure that we achieve conditions of energy sovereignty and also we pursue other peaceful uses outside of powering the South African economy.
“Nothing is off the table as far as this Ministry is concerned. We are going to discuss everything and pursue these opportunities that we have identified in the interest of the country,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
