Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
Thursday, 22 April 1999
POSITION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL AND ENERGY WITH REGARD TO THE "MARCH AGAINST NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY" BY THE GREEN PARTY TODAY
The Green Party has informed the Department of Minerals and Energy that on Thursday, 22 April 1999, they will gather on the Marine Parade, opposite the City Hall in Darling Street, from 11:30. At 12:00 a short speech to the public will explain the reason for their gathering. They will then march up Plein Street towards the main entrance of Parliament, corner Plein and Roeland Streets. The Department of Minerals and Energy will then meet the Green Party at the entrance of approximately 13:00 to receive a letter of protest against nuclear technology.
The Green Party will executive its democratic right to express its opposition to:
Government has made specific policy on nuclear energy as set out in its White Paper on Energy Policy for South Africa, issued in December 1998. Based on projections of power demand and surplus capacity, it is not expected that more generation capacity will be required in South Africa before the year 2007 at the earliest. Whether new nuclear capacity will be an option at that point, or beyond, will depend largely on the environmental and economic merits of other energy sources relative to nuclear and its political and public acceptability, construction lead-times and load characteristics. In making policy, government has therefore not excluded nuclear as a possible supply option.
The possible expansion of South Africa's nuclear power capacity is a sensitive matter and government will ensure that decisions to construct new nuclear power stations are taken within the context of an integrated energy policy planning process with due consideration given to all relevant legislation, and the process subject to structured participation and consultation with all stakeholders. The consultation process will therefore also include the public. The integrated planning process will ensure that important aspects such as economic feasibility, environmental impact, location and socio-economic impact are considered.
South Africa has an existing nuclear infrastructure and as a signatory of international agreements and conventions the country has committed itself to the peaceful and safe use of nuclear energy and technology. Internationally as in South Africa, nuclear technology makes a positive contribution through various applications inter alia the use of x-rays and radioactive isotopes in medicine, industry and agriculture, the production of electricity where there are no coal deposits and the production of medical isotopes for the international market.
ENQUIRIES:
Dr Schalk de Waal
Director: Nuclear Energy
Tel: (012) 3179282
Fax: (012) 3225224