Department of Energy

 MEDIA RELEASE

Today, Tuesday 14 October 2014 in Paris France - The Hon. Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Minister of Energy of the Republic of South Africa signed with the Hon. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, an Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement on Nuclear Cooperation. This agreement initiates the preparatory phase for the possible deployment of French nuclear technology in South Africa.

The Agreement builds on the more than 40 years of cooperation between South Africa and France, as symbolised by the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. The Agreement covers such areas as skills development, localisation of nuclear technology as well as research and development in South Africa.

"South Africa is pleased to continue the long-standing cooperation with France, as this paves the way for establishing a nuclear procurement process. To date, South Africa has concluded several Inter-Governmental Agreements and will proceed to sign similar agreements with the remaining nuclear vendor countries in preparation for the rollout of 9.6GW Nuclear New Build programme," remarked Minister Joemat-Pettersson.

In 2008, South Africa approved the nuclear energy policy with the long term vision to be self-sufficient in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. In March 2011, Cabinet approved the Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030 (IRP) that provides for the balanced energy mix that includes coal, renewable, gas and nuclear energy.

"The expansion of SA's nuclear programme will yield tremendous benefit for the country ranging from: mining, beneficiation, manufacturing, industrialisation, skills development, power generation without a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Significantly, this programme will create the much needed quality jobs and catapult South Africa into the knowledge economy to achieve energy security for the successful implementation of the country's National Development Plan," said Minister Joemat-Pettersson".

Statement issued by Mr Zizamele Mbambo, DDG Nuclear Energy the Department of Energy, October 14 2014

Source: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/

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