Eskom has hit back at civil group Outa, after the latter claimed that the power utility tried to hide information about its nuclear procurement from the public.<\/p>\n
Responding to the accusation, Eskom said that complied with the process of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) in its application for the Nuclear Installation Site Licence (NISL) in Thyspunt (Eastern Cape) and Duynesfontein (Western Cape).<\/p>\n
“(Eskom) takes exception to Outa’s misinformed campaign that alleges Eskom is trying to rush through the process,” it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEskom has complied with the process of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) in its application for the Nuclear Installation Site Licence (NISL) in Thyspunt [in the Eastern Cape] and Duynesfontein [in the Western Cape].<\/p>\n
The NNR announced on 28 July 2016 that it had completed its initial review of the NISL applications that had been submitted to it by Eskom on 10 March 2016.<\/p>\n
The NNR announced that it had found both applications to be compliant with relevant national policies as well as the NNR Act and associated regulations and has accepted the applications for further processing.<\/p>\n
Eskom said it then moved to inform stakeholders and interested parties in June and July by putting notices out in provincial gazettes and local media.<\/p>\n
Outa, however, argues that Eskom’s nuclear plans are national issues, and as such should have been published in national gazettes.<\/p>\n
The civil group also said that Eskom’s deadline for public comment was much shorter than necessary, counting 30 days rather than 30 business days from the date of the gazette.<\/p>\n
Outa warned that public comment on matter such as this were vital as, such was the case with e-tolls, without formal comment put forward, Eskom could continue with its plans unchallenged, making any action down the line more difficult.<\/p>\n
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