Deputy Chair and hon members, as I stated at the recent Nuclear Security Summit that was held in Seoul, South Korea, South Africa remains committed to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. This commitment is reflected in our Nuclear Energy Policy and Strategy of 2008, as well as laws passed by this Parliament, such as the Nuclear Energy Act of 1999 and the National Nuclear Regulator Act, Act 47 of 1999. South Africa's position on nuclear energy is informed by the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and further the goal of disarmament.
South Africa was the first African state signatory to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. In the last three years, South Africa signed bilateral co-operation agreements on civilian nuclear energy technology with the People's Republic of Algeria in May 2010, and with South Korea in October 2010. As a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear- Test-Ban Treaty, the South African government does not enter into nuclear agreements with private companies.
The nuclear co-operation agreements that South Africa has signed with other countries commit the signatories to pursuing mutually beneficial areas, which include research and development; the use of nuclear applications in health and agriculture; nuclear safety, radioactive waste and spent fuel management; decommissioning; and radiation protection, including emergency preparedness and response.
South Africa, like many other developing countries, faces the challenge of meeting the needs of people who still lack access to basic, modern energy services, while at the same time participating in a global transition towards clean, low-carbon energy systems. To meet these needs and to contribute to the global efforts for renewable and sustainable energy, we need to see broad changes to the way we generate energy, by developing a diverse energy mix and encouraging investment in alternative energy sources, including nuclear energy.
None of the nuclear co-operation agreements signed thus far affects the provinces.
Deputy Chairperson, I would like to thank the hon President for the answer he has provided to the Council. My question is very short. Hon President, which country, according to the signed agreements, will provide the nuclear technology? In connection with the same question, which country will provide the various components for this technology?
Just to be sure I understand the hon member, is he asking which country will provide technology to South Africa?
Yes, to South Africa.
Thank you. The agreements that we have signed include many things. In fact, they talk about co-operation. In other words, there's going to be an exchange of technologies. We have highly developed technology, science and scientists in South Africa, so it is also a case of South Africa's helping other countries. There may be components that we do not have and agreements mean that we will be able to exchange and share the knowledge and technological development, some of which they might have and some of which we might have. That's what is involved in our agreements. So, it is a win-win kind of situation.
Hon President, given the reality that South Africa is at the moment facing serious threats to energy security, and given the fact that there's general consensus that in regard to the energy mix, nuclear energy will be part of the future of South Africa's energy generation, how long do you think it will take before South Africa approves the building of the new nuclear plants as anticipated by the plans of Eskom?
Is South Africa facing a serious energy shortage? I'm not sure. I just want to correct that at the beginning because, if I just answer the question, it will look as if I am confirming that we have a very serious energy crisis! [Laughter.] I think we should correct that because that perception might be coloured by politics!
The economic development of South Africa, which was skewed at the beginning and structured in a particular way, has created the shortages that we have faced at times. The manner in which energy is used also has a history to it. Less than 18 years ago we were saying that energy in South Africa was in abundance; it was very cheap, etc. It is not as if we have had a shortage all along. It was the distorted manner of doing things that suddenly got us into difficulties.
But we have dealt with the issue. Part of the point that we have been making regarding the energy mix is precisely to deal with that issue. There is no disagreement - I don't think there's disagreement by now - about the type of energy we need. Nuclear energy forms part of the mix.
The other issue is this. Should you have Eskom only to deal with energy or should you involve other people? I think it was agreed that we needed to have many parties participating in generating energy. So, there is no disagreement. Efforts have been made to deal with the issue. As you know, specific power stations are being built, with timeframes. They will deal with the matter. In the meantime, we have so balanced the question of energy that the Minister of Public Enterprises could make a statement not long ago, saying that we would not have problems as winter approached because there were contingency plans in place to deal with the matter. These include how we utilise what we have, but also the fact that we have plans and we also have power stations under construction.
So, there is no threat. That's why I first wanted to deal with the question of whether there was a serious threat to the country - there isn't at all. [Laughter.] Everything is smooth, and nuclear energy is included in the mix.
Identification by PICC of projects and infrastructure initiatives, including Moloto Rail corridor
6. Ms M G Boroto (ANC) asked the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission has (a) met since its establishment in September 2011 and (b) identified any projects and infrastructure initiatives in all provinces for the 2011-12 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (i) how will these projects benefit their immediate communities and the national imperatives of creating jobs and building a viable economy and (ii) what are the further relevant details;
(2) whether these projects include the Moloto Rail Corridor; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?