The Democratic Alliance has confirmed it will oppose any efforts to revive the country’s nuclear energy plan following calls over the weekend for nuclear power to serve as an alternative to the country’s energy problems.
In a statement on Sunday, Kevin Mileham, DA shadow minister of energy and mineral resources, urged finance minister Tito Mboweni and energy minister Gwede Mantashe to reconsider their nuclear energy plans.
According to Mileham it’s a long-term solution for a short-term problem.
“Our economy is in the doldrums and needs urgent resuscitation. Nuclear is a long-term prospect that will not address the immediate problem.”
He added that the ongoing difficulties currently experienced at Eskom and the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) were more pressing matters to solve, claiming a nuclear build would take too long and use up too many resources.
“A far better solution for the short term is to deregulate small scale embedded generation, allow municipalities to purchase power directly from independent power producers, and immediately open bid window five for renewable energy producers,” said Mileham. – Bjorn Vorster
