A WEE DRAM
CHRIS GILMOUR: Nuclear may have shiny advantages but SA is in no position to embrace such an energy deal
Nuclear energy has its attractions, but until the budget deficit is reined in a nuclear power plant fleet is not for us
Defending the use of nuclear power is no easy task. Nuclear is one of the best energy technologies in the world but has the worst reputation and public image, historically introduced through weaponry and war. But that is exactly what Knox Msebenzi, MD of the Nuclear Industry Association of SA, did recently in a presentation to the Free Market Foundation and an audience heatedly divided between passionate pronuclear and antinuclear devotees. His three key focus areas were corruption, cost and safety. Two of these have certainly been hitting the headlines in SA over the past few years, becoming inseparably intertwined with our nuclear intentions. On corruption, Msebenzi said this was a governance issue rather than a nuclear power technology issue, and nuclear could indeed be implemented without this scourge.He also said the nuclear industry was highly regulated on national and international levels, programmes were scrutinised, it was very difficult to conceal corruption in this sector...
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