SA's nuclear build programme soiled by flawed procurement processes

CAPE TOWN - Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa believes the bad reputation government has earned for its nuclear build programme of the past is largely due to flawed procurement processes rather than a public aversion to the energy source itself.

In 2017, the Western Cape High Court found in favour of two NGOs, declaring government’s nuclear agreements with three countries unconstitutional and invalid.

But Ramokgopa believes a reset can restore credibility to the beleaguered programme that he estimates could cost in excess of R60 billion.

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Minister Ramokgopa said he doesn't plan to rush into a new nuclear build programme for the country.

The programme is currently on pause to address the concerns of the past and to meet all statutory requirements.

"It's absolutely correct to say our nuclear build programme has been soiled not by issues of technology, but issues around the administration and procurement process of nuclear capacity."

Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Cape Town on Wednesday, Ramokgopa said he planned to harness the country’s more than 70 years of experience in nuclear research and development to restore credibility to the sullied programme.

"The question, as it's posed in the public domain, is affordability, and whether the country has the financial muscle to be able to support the upfront capital costs."

After withdrawing the ministerial determination for 2,500 megawatts of nuclear power last August, Ramokgopa has now enlisted the help of global experts, that don’t come from vendor countries, to answer questions about pace and scale.