OUTA tells NERSA: #NoNewNuclear

NERSA is holding public hearings about the government’s plan to build 2500MW of new nuclear power, and OUTA is asking NERSA to block this.

OUTA believes that South Africa cannot afford to build a new nuclear power station and does not need one anyway.

Minister of Energy Gwede Mantashe has written a two-page nuclear determination, saying that government plans to buy 2500MW of new nuclear power. This is in addition to extending the life of Koeberg. In terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, the Minister must consult with NERSA when doing this. This consultation is underway and, as part of it, NERSA has asked for public comment.

OUTA submitted written comment to NERSA and today provides an input to the NERSA public hearing (an online hearing).

OUTA believes that nuclear is not needed, as South Africa’s energy requirements will be more affordable and quickly met by renewable energy. This is quite clear in the government’s own energy plan, the Integrated Resource Plan 2019.

Government isn’t saying how much new nuclear power would cost, but using Cabinet’s 2015 estimates it could be as much as R380 billion, including finance costs.

OUTA believes that South Africa has limited resources and there are other priorities for such spending.

WATCH: OUTA’s video explaining why we oppose a new nuclear build is here.

NERSA is expected to livestream the hearing on Twitter at @NERSA_ZA

More information on OUTA's objections is available here.

OUTA’s full submission is here and the presentation to NERSA is here.