The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy this week gazetted South Africa’s long-awaited Integrated Resource Plan, detailing the country’s energy future for the next decade and beyond.<\/p>\n
However, through a slight administration error, the department somehow managed to publish an earlier version of the document and not the final approved version.<\/p>\n
A department spokesperson confirmed to energy expert Chris Yelland that the incorrect document was published. It was not the version approved by Cabinet.<\/p>\n
The version published on the department’s website and given out to journalists was the correct version, however.<\/p>\n
The main differences between the two published documents are mostly text changes – with the energy mix numbers remaining unchanged – but this does not mean the inconsistencies are superficial.<\/p>\n
A notable difference is in the wording in the nuclear energy section, which puts forward room for 2,500MW of capacity in this area.<\/p>\n
The older version of the document states that South Africa will “immediately commence the nuclear build programme to the extent of 2,500 MW because it is a no-regret option in the long term”.<\/p>\n
The official document changes this to:<\/p>\n
“Commence preparations for a nuclear build programme to the extent of 2,500 MW at a pace and scale that the country can afford because it is a no-regret option in the long term.”<\/p>\n
South Africa’s nuclear plans have been a major sticking point among analysts and commentators, as it is most commonly linked to former President Jacob Zuma and his cabinet, which pushed hard for a massive nuclear build in the country.<\/p>\n
Plans to pursue nuclear were seemingly rubber-stamped in government, which were projected to cost the country R1 trillion until the aggressive pursuit was put on ice by the new ministers who took over in 2018.<\/p>\n
You can read the full, correct, energy plan below:<\/p>\n
Doe Irp 2019 – October 2019 Correct<\/a> by BusinessTech<\/a> on Scribd<\/p>\n