The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg – the two civil society organisations who took the South African government to court over its illegal and unconstitutional R1-trillion nuclear deal with Russia in 2017 – are concerned at the new push by the Department of Minister Resources and Energy (DMRE) for more nuclear energy, while stifling progress on renewable energy projects.
SAFCEI’s Executive Director Francesca de Gasparis says, “DMRE’s seems single-minded on touting nuclear energy as the solution to our energy crisis. In the past two weeks alone, we heard of three disturbing developments. First, there is the news that the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) will concur with the Minister’s Determination – section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006) – to start procurement processes for 2,500MW of new nuclear energy generation capacity. Secondly, Eskom is seeking a site license for Thyspunt, the popular tourism spot of Cape of St Francis, to become a nuclear power station from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR).”
Guest on the line: Lydia Petersen, spokesperson for Koeberg Alert Alliance