Done Deal? SA signs nuclear power agreements with Russia at BRICS meeting

SA and Russia signed two memoranda of understanding on nuclear power cooperation, calling to educate and encourage "public acceptance of nuclear power"

Published on:

09 Jul 2015, 5:55 am

JOHANNESBURG, July 8 (Reuters) – South Africa and Russia signed two memoranda of understanding on nuclear power cooperation on Wednesday, part of efforts by Africa's most advanced economy to lessen its reliance on coal and overcome power shortages that threaten economic growth.

The agreements, signed at the summit of emerging BRICS nations in Ufa, Russia, are between Russia's state-run nuclear energy company Rosatom and South Africa's department of energy. They call for joint projects to educate and encourage "public acceptance of nuclear power" in South Africa, the South African department of energy said in a statement.

They will also include programmes for training specialists in South Africa's nuclear industry.

South Africa is considering using reactors from Russia's Rosatom and Westinghouse for its planned 9,600 megawatt nuclear fleet expansion, an energy advisor to the government said in June.

The country plans to build six new nuclear power plants by 2030 at an estimated cost of between 400 billion rand and 1 trillion rand ($32 bln and $80 bln).

Critics contend South Africa cannot afford the price tag against the backdrop of rising debt and sluggish economic growth, which is constrained by power shortages that trigger periodic rolling blackouts.

The government has said South Africa needs to not only expand its capacity but also diversify its power mix from coal, which provides over 85 percent of the country's energy needs. – Reuters

From Genevieve Quintal, News24

Johannesburg – South Africa and Russia intend to implement several joint projects for education in the nuclear power industry, the department of energy said on Wednesday.

As part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries, 200 South Africans will be trained at Russian universities and educational organisations, the department said in a statement.

Two memorandums were signed at the 7th Brics summit in Ufa, Russia, between the department and the Russian state nuclear corporation, Rosatom.

"The countries will co-operate in order to provide training for five categories of specialists for the South African nuclear industry: nuclear power plant (NPP) personnel, engineers and construction workers, staff for operations not related to the power industry, personnel for nuclear infrastructure, students and teachers.

There has been controversy over reported nuclear deals between Russia and South Africa.

Bloomberg on Tuesday reported that Russia was seen as the frontrunner to win the right to build South African nuclear power plants that may be worth as much as R1.2trn.

There was a six-month deadline to award contracts, however, it was not yet clear who would pay for the country's biggest project.

President Jacob Zuma has met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin several times over the past year and the two nations have signed a nuclear co-operation accord.

The department of energy on Wednesday said the second memorandum signed by the corporation and South Africa stipulated joint efforts of the parties to promote nuclear power in the country.

This would increase awareness of modern nuclear technologies and ensure public acceptance of nuclear power, the energy department said.

A plan for the implementation of a joint communication program to be launched in South Africa, would be worked out.

Rosatom and the department would also consider the creation of a nuclear energy information centre in South Africa.

"The parties seek to exchange information and best practices in the nuclear industry by organising working visits and international conferences and exhibitions," the department said.

News24

Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-in-new-nuclear-deal-with-Russia-20150708

Jacob Zuma