Ramokgopa withdraws gazette that paved the way for nuclear energy procurement

CAPE TOWN - Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said that he is withdrawing the government gazette that paved the way for the procurement of 2,500MW of nuclear energy.

Ramokgopa made the announcement on Friday where he gave an update on government’s push for nuclear as part of the energy mix.

He said transparency would be a central to all energy matters during his term as minister in the new government.

"As I conclude, I really want to say the following: nuclear is part of the mix, nuclear is part of the future, but it’s important that as we go out and procure, the procurement process must be able to stand the test of time."

The minister added that it was for this reason that the public participation process must be reopened.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and various organisations took government to court to open up the process for the 2,500 megawatts nuclear programme and the gazette by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

“I’ve then taken the decision, and this is the announcement I’m making to the country that I'm withdrawing the gazette. I'm withdrawing the gazette to allow for that public participation to happen.”

However, Ramokgopa said that nuclear was still part of the country's future.

He said the withdrawal of the gazette means that the process could be delayed by up to six months.