The Department of Energy has noted the on-going public discourse around the recent agreement the Department of Energy, on behalf of the South African Government, has signed with Russian state-owned company, ROSATOM. As previously indicated, the Inter-Governmental Agreement regarding nuclear energy co-operation between South Africa and Russia was signed on Sunday, 22 September 2014 during Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s attendance of the 58th Session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
We wish to state that this agreement is not the first of such agreements that our Department has signed. The South African Government, in its normal course of work, signs different agreements with Governments or their State entities to enhance cooperation in different areas of mutual interest. South Africa has signed over 60 different energy related co-operation agreements, addressing different aspects of energy and usage of different energy sources.
As an example, on 9 September 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to enhance our strategic cooperation within the field of energy, more particularly to ensure that the Grand Inga Hydro project is taken forward.
It is within this context that our agreement with the Russian Federation on nuclear co-operation is based. The Inter-Governmental Agreement on Strategic Partnership in Nuclear Energy is focusing on Russian-technology multipurpose nuclear research, assistance in the development of South-African nuclear infrastructure, and education of South African nuclear specialists in Russian universities and other areas.
This co-operation agreement and the others we have, and further intend to sign with other countries, is informed by our Cabinet approved Integrated Resource Plan ( IRP) 2010, which emphasize an energy mix which comprises of coal, nuclear, renewable energy, gas, hydro and other energy sources.
The process of engaging with the thrust of the agreement with the Russian Federation as represented by ROSATOM, and the South African government as represented by the Department of Energy, will be subjected to the normal process of internal government and legislative scrutiny, and obviously, the public, the media, civil society and political parties will have an opportunity, through such processes, to fully comprehend the full details of the agreement.
The Department wishes to refute all allegations of 'undue influence' by the President towards concluding this agreement. The allegations are baseless and at worst ludicrous, and they are purely concocted in order to tarnish the image and integrity of the President and the Government of South Africa.
The Department of Energy wishes to assure all South Africans and interested parties that nothing will be withheld from them with respect to this agreement, as in the case with all other agreements previously entered between our government and other governments.
We however do appeal that the necessary due process, as stipulated in our country's statutes (laws and policies) be allowed to run their normal course.
Enquiries:
Zizamele Mbambo, DDG Nuclear Energy
Cell: 079 529 5646
Email: Zizamele.mbambo@energy.gov.za
Xolisa Mabhongo, Group Executive Corporate Services
Cell: 072 359 9025
Email: Xolisa.mabhongo@necsa.co.za
