Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has reiterated that South Africa is pursuing a diversified energy mix that includes both independent power producers and the nuclear build.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Wednesday, the Minister said the diversified energy mix is in support of government\u2019s programme of economic growth and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain we must emphasise that there is no \u2018nuclear deal\u2019. We remain firmly committed to an above board, fair and transparent procurement process with due regard to the scale, pace and price of the programme,\u201d said the Minister.<\/p>\n
In the State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier in the year, President Jacob Zuma said South Africa plans to introduce \u00a09 600 megawatts of nuclear energy in the next decade, in addition to running Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant in the Western Cape.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the Minister said the department functions within the policy framework of government, and the programmes implemented by the Department of Energy (DoE) seek to respond to these.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll programmes and interventions by the DoE are premised on approved government decisions as outlined in Energy Policy and the Cabinet approved Integrated Resource Plan. These include work on all energy sources such as renewable energy, coal, gas and nuclear,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ministers and officials within departments do not operate or work outside the framework of agreed government policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe further wish to reiterate that we implement programmes in compliance with the relevant guidelines and legislation, as demonstrated by our highly successfully Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will shortly be announcements on the expedited round for Renewable Energy projects as well as Requests For Proposals (RFP) \u00a0for the coal and gas IPP projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
The RFP, in terms of the decision of Cabinet on 9 December 2015, for the Nuclear New Build Programme will also be released in compliance with the approved Cabinet directive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ministry of Energy will not be distracted from its mandate and responsibilities\u00a0to ensure and maintain security of energy supply.\u201d<\/p>\n
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