Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa Withdraws 2,500MW Nuclear Procurement Determination

The Minister acknowledged that the omission came to light only after court papers were filed, prompting the withdrawal of the gazette to allow for public consultation.

Minister of Energy and Electricity, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has announced the withdrawal of the Ministerial Determination for the procurement of 2,500MW of nuclear energy. The decision was made to ensure that the process includes public participation, which had been overlooked, leading to legal challenges. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, the Minister emphasized the importance of transparency and public confidence in the procurement process.

The determination, previously supported by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), faced criticism for not including public comments, which led to legal pressure. The Minister acknowledged that the omission came to light only after court papers were filed, prompting the withdrawal of the gazette to allow for public consultation.

Although this decision will delay the nuclear procurement process by an estimated three to six months, Dr. Ramokgopa stressed the need to protect the integrity and transparency of the process. He assured the public that the government remains committed to including nuclear energy in South Africa's future energy mix, as outlined in the Integrated Resource Plan 2019.

Despite the setback, the Minister reiterated that nuclear energy remains a crucial part of the country's energy security strategy, and the procurement process will proceed once public input has been adequately considered and Nersa's concurrence is obtained.