South Africa To Restart Nuclear Power Plans

JOHANNESBURG, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2017 ) - South Africa will relaunch plans to build nuclear power plants by signing new agreements with several countries, Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Saturday.

A court in Cape Town last month ruled the government had failed to allow adequate public consultation for preliminary agreements with Russia, South Korea and the United States for the construction of eight reactors.

Struggling to meet growing electricity demand, South Africa in recent years has also signed agreements with France and China.

"I have decided that I will not be appealing the decision of the Western Cape High Court on this matter," said Kubayi at a press conference.

The government now plans to sign new agreements with all five countries which will then be submitted to parliament, she said. South Africa has the only two nuclear reactors on the continent and is seeking to relaunch its nuclear programme in a bid to end its reliance on coal to produce electricity.