We have to consider nuclear, says Jeff Radebe

Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe spoke at the BBQ Awards at Emperor’s Palace on Friday, where he said that all energy options must be on the table for South Africa at this point.

The minister said we could no longer “discriminate against or favour any particular energy carriers”.

This, he added, includes nuclear power.

“We have to consider nuclear, and despite its high capital costs, we have not lost sight of the fact that this is a clean energy source that can contribute optimally for electricity generation,” he said.

Radebe also mentioned coal, which he said remained one of South Africa’s best options due to its abundance and low price, but said the positives of coal must be balanced by the negatives, mainly its high carbon content, which the minister said must be considered “where emissions reduction targets and carbon taxes are introduced”.

The minister then turned his attention to hydroelectric power.

“We have to consider hydro as well,” he said, mentioning a plant in Mozambique and one in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Radebe said his department had sent out “strong signals” in terms of the role they wished renewable energy technology to play in solving South Africa’s energy dilemma, mentioning the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPP) programme.

The programme is not without its critics, with economist Rob Jeffrey slamming it in an opinion piece.

The use of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as a whole, meanwhile, has been met with opposition, with former Eskom CEO Matshela Koko, the EFF, most unions, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber among those who have spoken out against them, citing the inflated prices the contracts are believed to have been signed for and what unions and some leftist voices believe is a step towards privatisation.

The minister’s appraisal of SA’s energy needs comes at a time of severe crisis, as Eskom battles with capacity shortages and South Africans battle with load shedding as a result.

Radebe also noted that South Africa’s high dependency on imported crude oil put us at risk of falling victim to global stability and that alternative sources of liquid fuel were needed.

He stressed that shale gas must not be ignored and could help SA move towards a low carbon economy.

According to Radebe, gas is the fastest growing fossil fuel and it is expected to catch up with coal over the next 20 years.

(Compiled by Daniel Friedman. Background reporting, MoneyWeb, Brian Sokutu, Eric Naki)

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