South Africa's Nuclear Energy Procurement Process Delayed for Public Participation

In a significant development that underscores the democratic process, South Africa's Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced the withdrawal of the Ministerial Determination for the procurement of 2,500MW of nuclear energy. This decision, which was revealed during a media briefing in Pretoria, arrives amid legal challenges that questioned the legitimacy of the procedure, particularly in terms of public engagement.

The initial announcement of the procurement, made in December of the previous year, had prompted judicial scrutiny, with contention arising over the lack of public consultation. Dr. Ramokgopa noted, “The only time we got to know and be alerted that the process was not subjected to a public consultation process is when the [court] papers were filed." Thus, adhering to calls for transparency, the minister took the decisive step to redraw the information. This allows for the necessary public participation and adheres to the principle that such major decisions should not be made without inclusive dialogue and feedback.

The recalibration of this process invites South Africans to actively participate and contribute to the dialogue surrounding the nation's energy future. The ambition is for an unassailable process that not only meets regulatory and legal standards but enjoys the confidence and support of the public.

Assuming the revision adds an estimated three to six months to the schedule, the Ministry demonstrates a commitment to taking the needed time to uphold the integrity and transparency of the procurement process. Dr. Ramokgopa affirmed his commitment to keeping the citizenry informed: “I want to give confidence to the South African public that we will take you every step of the way...to preserve the integrity of any procurement process, including the nuclear procurement process.”

Despite this adjournment affecting the timeline, the inclusion of nuclear power in South Africa's energy landscape remains a component of the national strategy. As outlined in the government's Integrated Resource Plan 2019, nuclear energy is envisioned as a crucial element of the country's energy mix, aiming to ensure a stable and diversified future energy supply for South Africa.