SA cannot afford large-scale nuclear project, says Gigaba
The medium-term budget made no mention of nuclear generation but, asked about it, the finance minister said nuclear remained in the mix
Asked about the absence of nuclear power plans from his medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday, Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said nuclear remained in the energy mix, but procurement of a large-scale nuclear power project remained unaffordable. Speaking to reporters ahead of his speech in Parliament on Wednesday, he said a new integrated resource plan on energy would provide more clarity. The push for the nuclear build has taken on new urgency in the past week, with weekend media reports that President Jacob Zuma had recently met with a Russian delegation. Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle last week included the appointment of David Mahlobo as energy minister. The possible capture of SA’s energy sector goes beyond the nuclear project. PetroSA faces a probe of projects alleged to be milking it.
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