The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The national Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010-2030 states South Africa’s intention to add 9 600 MW of nuclear energy to the energy mix by 2030. The IRP is the country’s 20 year plan towards the balancing of electricity production and consumption.

As the country implements the IRP, the government has taken the initiative to assess its readiness for the nuclear new build programme of the country by using the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Milestone Approach called the "Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR)".

South African nuclear stakeholders such as South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, Eskom, National Nuclear Regulator, and key government departments including Energy and Public Enterprise are part of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordination Committee (NNEECC) that has developed the self-evaluation report for the country. The NNEECC is led by the Deputy President and serves as the national decision making body regarding the nuclear programme.

The IAEA will conduct the INIR Mission during February 2013. Thus, in preparation for this mission, an IAEA team conducted a 3-day pre-mission workshop with relevant stakeholders on 15 to 17 October 2012. The main focus of the workshop was to provide comments on the current self-evaluation report, as well as to define the scope, work plan, and logistical arrangements for the 2013 INIR Mission.

While the INIR aims to perform an independent and objective review, it is not intended to be an external audit of the national infrastructure. Rather, it describes the sequential development through the three phases for each of 19 milestones. The 19 milestones that the INIR looks into are:

• National Position
• Safety
• Management
• Legislation
• Funding and Financing
• Safeguards
• Regulatory Framework
• Radiation Protection
• Electrical Grid
• Human Resource Development
• Siting and Support Facilities
• Environmental Protection
• Emergency Planning
• Security and Physical Protection
• Nuclear Fuel Cycle (Front End)
• Radioactive Waste
• Industrial Involvement
• Procurement