The Energy Research Centre at the University of Cape Town recently published its report Towards a New Power Plan. The report intends to stimulate debate around South Africa's future power sources. It was commissioned by the National Planning Commission as part of its on-going mandate to provide independent research and advice.
Many of the assumptions in the 2010 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) are now out of date and no longer valid. These include the anticipated demand growth, and data on technology and fuel availabilities and costs. According to Paul Vecchiatto from Business Day live, Department of Energy director-general Nelisiwe Magubane nonetheless told Parliament's energy committee on Tuesday April 16, that South Africa's nuclear programme is non-negotiable and the National Development Plan (NDP) supports it.
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