Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ News / World/  Court sets aside South African nuclear plan, terms it ‘unlawful’
BackBack

Court sets aside South African nuclear plan, terms it ‘unlawful’

South Africa's nuclear expansion plan is opposed by clean-energy groups, while economists says the country's ailing economy cannot afford to build new nuclear plants

South Africa, which has the continent’s only nuclear power station, has asked power utility Eskom to procure an additional 9,600 MW of new capacity as it diversifies its energy mix away from ageing coal-fired plants. Photo: Fabrice Dimier/BloombergPremium
South Africa, which has the continent’s only nuclear power station, has asked power utility Eskom to procure an additional 9,600 MW of new capacity as it diversifies its energy mix away from ageing coal-fired plants. Photo: Fabrice Dimier/Bloomberg

Cape Town: South Africa’s controversial push to build a fleet of new nuclear plants suffered a setback on Wednesday after the high court set aside the procurement process and a pre-agreement with Russia.

South Africa, which has the continent’s only nuclear power station, has asked power utility Eskom to procure an additional 9,600 megawatts (MW) of new capacity as it diversifies its energy mix away from ageing coal-fired plants.

The expansion plan is opposed by environmental and clean-energy groups, while some economists have said the country’s ailing economy cannot afford to build new nuclear plants whose costs are estimated around 1 trillion rand ($76 billion).

Judge Lee Bozalek said any request for proposal or request for information to kick-start the procurement process was set aside as well as a deal to cooperate with Russia on the plan.

“The minister’s decision on or about 10 June 2015 to table the Russian IGA before parliament... Is unconstitutional and unlawful and it is reviewed and set aside," he said.

In late 2014, then energy minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, signed an intergovernmental agreement with Russian state nuclear company Rosatom, saying the countries would cooperate in reactors with total installed capacity of up to 9,600 MW.

It was not immediately clear whether the government would appeal the ruling.

Both Eskom and South Africa’s department of energy declined to comment on the ruling. Reuters

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 26 Apr 2017, 06:15 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App