Energy Minister Says South Africa Will Sign New Intergovernmental Agreements

15 May (NucNet): South Africa’s energy minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said the government will not appeal the Western Cape High Court's recent ruling that nuclear agreements signed with five countries were unlawful and unconstitutional. However, in a statement on 13 May 2017, Ms Kubayi said the government remains committed to the approved energy mix policy, which includes new nuclear, and will seek to standardise “in both form and processing” all intergovernmental agreements with other countries. The statement said there is no intention to go ahead with the current agreements, but the energy department will set out to sign new agreements with all five countries and “table them within reasonable time to parliament for consideration”. Last month, the Western Cape High Court ruled that the series of intergovernmental agreements between South Africa and Russia, China, the US, South Korea and France were illegal. The legal challenge was brought by anti-nuclear groups Earthlife Africa and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute. The court ruled that the procurement process was unconstitutional as it was secretive and did not involve adequate environmental and financial assessments. The Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa said the ruling centred on procedural issues and made no determination on the argument for nuclear energy. South Africa is looking to build up to 9,600 MW of new nuclear capacity. The two-unit Koeberg station outside Cape Town is the country’s only operating nuclear station.