EThekwini ‘not considering nuclear power’

POLITICAL parties have accused the eThekwini Municipality of creating confusion about nuclear energy as a source of power generation for the city. They say this is indicative of the shambolic way in which the municipality is being run.

According to a media report, Sbu Ntshalintshali, the head of energy transition for eThekwini Municipality, had allegedly indicated the possibility of a nuclear power station in Durban to boost supply.

But Princess Nkabane, the senior communications officer at the municipality, said nuclear power was not among the city’s alternative energy sources.

“In June 2021, eThekwini Municipal Council adopted the Energy Transition Policy for the eThekwini Municipal Area following a robust stakeholder engagement process.

“Most importantly, the key strategy documents that informed the development of the eThekwini Energy Transition Policy were also subjected to a similar rigorous stakeholder engagement process prior to the policy statements being adopted.

“The council adopted Energy Transition Policy does not have nuclear power anywhere in its implementation pipeline.

“Furthermore, one of the strategic documents referred to above, the Integrated Resource Plan, makes it very clear that nuclear power is one energy source that eThekwini Municipality will not be considering for many reasons. This is the position of the municipality on the matter of nuclear power.”

South Africa has had more than 100 days of power cuts this year. This has resulted in some cities in the country considering independent power supply as a solution to load shedding.

Visvin Reddy, the president of the African Democratic Change, said: “It is clear that the city does not have its act together because they are now denying what has been reported by their head of energy transition about two weeks ago. No wonder roads are still not being repaired after the flooding. The city is not managed properly.”

Thabani Miya, a national executive member for the EFF, said: "The municipality is clearly withdrawing itself from the nuclear plan despite their head of energy transition saying something else. The centre is not holding.

“You cannot have a municipality that contradicts itself.”

Dean Macpherson, chairperson of the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, said the only thing that was more terrifying than a nuclear power station was the municipality not being able to make up their minds on the issue.

“On one hand, their head of energy is saying 'yes' and then the municipality is saying 'no'.

“Now everyone is confused. It is like the municipality and the head of energy transition do not work for the same organisation. It speaks to the lack of leadership in the city.

“They know the DA will see them in court if they try to do anything. The city will never obtain a licence for something like that (nuclear energy) because the municipality has to get a licence from the regulator which is accompanied by where it would go.

“So where would the municipality place a reactor in Durban as it has to be along the coast?

“Firstly, most of the coast is residential and the seas are too rough. Secondly, there is no private funder who will fund a 900MW power station that will cost close to half a trillion rand.

“I think the municipality has realised it is a bad idea and now, all of a sudden, they are throwing their head of energy under the bus.”