Cabinet confirms nukes procurement under Eskom

Despite widespread opposition, SA's nuclear build programme is gathering momentum, with Cabinet announcing future procurement arrangements, as well as the release of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for public comment, writes Legalbrief. Cabinet has confirmed that the procurement of new nuclear power plants will fall to Eskom and that it will also own the facilities. A report in The Citizen notes that this comes after the release of Thuli Madonsela’s report, State of Capture, which disputes the insistence that nuclear is the only viable option to boost energy supply. ‘Cabinet designated Eskom as the owner operator and procurer for nuclear power plants in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008,’ the statement said. It added that Eskom has operated the Koeberg nuclear power plant safely for more than 30 years and has been compiling environmental impact data on new nuclear plants since 2007. Cabinet, which met over two days last week, also approved the designation of the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation as the owner and operator of a planned multipurpose reactor and nuclear fuel cycle. Lastly, it said, the Department of Energy would serve as the co-ordinator of the nuclear build programme, which is aimed at adding 9 600 kilowatts to the national energy grid. The decision to allow Eskom to head the procurement drive was first announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan last week in his medium-term budget policy statement, the report states.