SA, China discuss peaceful use of nuclear energy

Energy Minister Ben Martins has sign a draft co-operation agreement with China over SA's nuclear power development. Image: GCIS

A draft agreement has been signed and it covers areas such as supply of nuclear energy products and infrastructure funding to promote regional nuclear power developments; supplier development and localisation; skills development and capacity building and research and development.

It follows on two other agreements that deal with various aspects of the energy sector. In 2006, the two countries signed an inter-governmental agreement on co-operation in the peaceful use of atomic energy, which covers design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors.

In 2010, South Africa signed a general co-operation agreement in the field of energy, covering oil and gas, renewable energy, energy efficiency and skills development.

Last month, the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA signed a skills development and training agreement with two Chinese state nuclear energy corporations - the China General Nuclear Power Corporation and the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation.

Further co-operation

The agreement will lay the foundation for further co-operation in skills development and will be funded up to 95% by Chinese institutions.

The agreement will create opportunities for young South Africans to enrol in Chinese universities to further their studies in nuclear power and other specialised areas of energy.

"Policy certainty and predictability in the energy sector has contributed significantly to attracting foreign investors to the renewable energy programme," said Martins.

Rongyao expressed China's willingness to participate and invest in the nuclear energy sector in South Africa to support economic development, localisation, skills development and job creation.

Government is looking at the various aspects involved in the rolling out of new nuclear energy power plants.

South Africa's nuclear energy policy was approved in 2008 and is further enhanced by the approval of the IRP 2010, which stipulates that nuclear power generation will form part of the country's overall energy mix.