WATCH | Ramokgopa withdraws 2,500 MW nuclear plan – for now

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) had provided conditional approval for the determination, which was later gazetted by Ramokgopa.

However, the environmental groups contended that Nersa failed to involve the public adequately in the process and that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, on which the determination was based, did not account for new nuclear capacity.

“It is proper that we are able to extend an opportunity to these parties and other parties to evaluate, examine, critique, and respond to our report in relation to how we are going to meet the suspensive condition.

“So in summary, I’m saying as a minister, I agree with these applicants… that Nersa should have subjected that process to a public participation process,” Ramokgopa said.

He added: “The last thing we want is to do a major built programme on the back of suspicion that the department and government are hiding something from the public. So I said we are going to to democratise this process, we are going to make it transparent. There is nothing to hide.

“… So on the back of that, I then take the decision and this is the announcement I’m making to the country that I’m withdrawing the gazette to allow for that public participation to happen.”