Consider this quote from our new energy minister, David Mahlobo, and be afraid — very afraid! "Yes, [nuclear power] is expensive when you are building, but immediately [after] a nuclear plant has been built and [has started] to operate, it produces the cheapest electricity than any source. It is actually less than 35c per kilowatt hour, which is very cheap. The renewables are on average around 80c per kilowatt hour, and some are around R1." First, his assertions on the cost of renewable energy are misleading, to say the least. The last round of bidding in the independent power producer programme produced bids of 62c for wind and solar power. As for nuclear power at 35c/kWh, he must be leaving something out — such as capital costs and repaying loans. Russia’s Rosatom nuclear contract in Turkey is 12.35US cents/kWh, twice Eskom’s average tariff, at about R1.70/kWh. So where does Mahlobo get his 35c/kWh from? And how can one trust a man with such dangerously novel ideas about the cost ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.