CAPE TOWN - The silence about the role of nuclear energy in the national climate change debate is of concern, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane said.
Nkabane was speaking on Wednesday at the start of the two day Nuclear Technology Imbizo hosted at the Cape Town International Conference Centre.
The imbizo is organised by the South African Young Nuclear Professionals Society, in collaboration with Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa, Women in Nuclear South Africa and the Southern African Radiation Protection Society.
“Nuclear is an important issue, and a highly topical one in South Africa – for the government, Parliament and the public alike. Especially at this point, where as the Department, we plan to advance towards procuring the 2500MW nuclear programme by 2024. This programme was identified as one of those supporting the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan while ensuring security of energy supply,” Nkabane said.
In 2021 Minister Gwede Mantashe made a determination in terms of section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006, for 2500 MW of nuclear Energy to be procured. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa concurred with the minister’s determination, but the concurrence came with “suspensive conditions” that are currently being addressed.
“The silence about the role of nuclear energy in the national climate change debate is of concern. Our policy embraces an energy mix which includes, nuclear, coal, hydro, gas, battery storage and renewable energy,” Nkabane said.
“We follow global developments which point out the key role of nuclear energy towards global decarbonisation, and there are demonstrated cases where some countries are already in compliance with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change because of increasing the capacity of nuclear in their energy mix.
“Nuclear energy provides an electricity source that our country should extensively invest in, to produce large amounts of clean electricity and to address the scourge of energy poverty whilst delivering on various socio-economic benefits such as long-term employment and positive economic impact,” she said.
The Koeberg nuclear power plant provides about 5% of clean electricity to the national grid, she added.
“South Africa is well endowed with nuclear capability and should align with the global consensus to recognise that nuclear power will play a critical role in mitigating climate change. South Africa should include nuclear power and infrastructure as part of the green taxonomy to ensure nuclear is competitive and sustainable.
“As we engage during these two days … we must return to the central question of how we can demystify nuclear technology for a broader reach to ensure public understanding and acceptance. We acknowledge initiatives such as Stand Up For Nuclear that play an important role to help demystify nuclear technology for a broader reach to ensure public understanding and acceptance,” Nkabane said.
Cape Times