France’s distressed nuclear companies desperate to sell reactors to South Africa
The French companies Areva and EDF need to sell reactors abroad to survive and, after Fukushima, the number of countries investing in new nuclear industry is very limited. Hence France’s strong nuclear lobby and “friendship” with South African politicians over the past few years.
Nuclear power will cost the country dearly, Mail and Guardian RIANNE TEULE: ENERGY Oct 14 2011 The Mail & Guardian’s front-page story last week (October 7) highlighted the upcoming nuclear battle for a total of R1-trillion worth of reactors in
South Africa and the fact that the country is being forcefully lobbied by the French and other nuclear countries. The exorbitant costs and the nuclear industry’s desperation prove that it is absolute lunacy for South Africa to choose the nuclear route. Continue reading
No energy security in nuclear power for South Africa
Activists slam SA nuclear decision, 2011-09-16 Environmental organisation Greenpeace has urged the Minister of Energy to reconsider the role of nuclear energy in South Africa, Duncan Alfreds, News24, Cape Town – Environmental groups have slammed the government’s decision to build nuclear plants, saying it will not lead to energy security for South Africa.
“As for nuclear energy as being our answer to whatever Eskom thinks it will be, that’s not entirely true. If Eskom is concerned with electricity security, energy security and safe electricity supply, nuclear is not going to be able to provide that,” Ferial Adams of Greenpeace Africa told News24.
Energy Minister Dipuo Peters announced on Thursday that the building process to build new nuclear plants which would produce 9 600MW, would begin by 2012….. http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Activists-slam-SA-nuclear-decisi
Sadety worries delay nuclear power in South Africa
South Africa Delays Bids for Nuclear Plants on Safety Concerns, Bloomberg By Jana Marais – Sep 15, 2011 South Africa postponed the opening of bids for its nuclear power-plant build program to next year because of safety concerns following the meltdown of reactors in Fukushima, Japan, South African Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said.
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., the state-owned South African power utility, will be the main driver of the country’s nuclear power plants and will invite partners, Peters told reporters in Johannesburg today…http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-15/south-africa-delays-bids-for-nuclear-plants-on-safety-concerns.html
Farmland ruined by radioactive “superdumps” from uranium mining
He blames the recent toxic and radioactive spillages on Mine Waste Solutions, a subsidiary of Canadian First Uranium, which is reprocessing mining waste from 15 old slimes dams – some of which are located on his expansive farm – in the Klerksdorp area….
Superdumps are huge dams that store toxic waste form the smaller, historical dumps that are reprocessed for gold and uranium.
(South Africa) Radioactive spillages condemn farmlandAugust 31 2011 IOL Science Tech, By Sheree Bega INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS Johan Kondos can only use a small portion of his land to grow lucerne. “……This lone field, and a few beloved cattle, is all Kondos has left of his farm in Hartbeesfontein in the North West.
Like many of his neighbours, he blames surrounding mining operations for contaminating his farm, situated about 5km from the Vaal River.
“Some of the pollution is historic but some of it is so recent, it’s still wet,” he explains.
“I’ve had calves born with two heads on my farm. At one time I was having 70 percent abortions and very high mortality with my animals. They drank from the Koekemoerspruit and ate the lucerne I produced.
He blames the recent toxic and radioactive spillages on Mine Waste Solutions, a subsidiary of Canadian First Uranium, which is reprocessing mining waste from 15 old slimes dams – some of which are located on his expansive farm – in the Klerksdorp area.
As part of this, the company is also constructing a controversial central tailings storage facility, or superdump, about 2km from the Vaal River, touting it as a model rehabilitation plan, where the mining waste from the 15 tailings dams is piped. Superdumps are huge dams that store toxic waste form the smaller, historical dumps that are reprocessed for gold and uranium.
In July, the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) shut down Mine Waste Solutions’ operations after its inspection revealed spillages and leakages of tailings materials along the company’s extensive pipeline and on the properties of farmers like Kondos.
But a week later, Mine Waste Solutions was back on line, stating it said it had been given conditional approval to restart operations provided it follow an “enhanced pipeline maintenance programme” and submit monthly reports.
Radioactive spillages condemn farmland – IOL SciTech | IOL.co.za
Beleagured uranium mining industry now fearing nationalisation of mining in Africa
Mining nationalisation threat is real, says government adviser, MATT CHAMBERS, THE AUSTRALIAN, September 01, 2011 A SENIOR South African government adviser says investor worries about nationalisation of the mining industry are justified. Continue reading
South Africa moves radioactive wastes to Northern Cape
Low-level nuclear waste moved to Northern Cape, Mail & Guardian JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Jun 15 2011 Low-level radioactive waste packages accumulated from the 1960s at the Nuclear Energy Corporation South Africa (Necsa) in the North West have been removed to a waste disposal site, the corporation said on Wednesday. ….The trip to Vaalputs took two days over about 1 200km…..http://mg.co.za/article/2011-06-15-lowlevel-nuclear-waste-moved-to-northern-cape/
South African government irresponsibly promoting nuclear energy
Greenpeace Africa, who accuses the government of being irresponsible in approving plans for nuclear expansion. ….South Africa is ill-equipped to handle nuclear power generation. “We have a very weak nuclear regulator, little nuclear expertise in the country and a dependency on foreign nuclear expertise and technology,”
Cold and desolate in the dead zone, Mail & Guardian, ILHAM RAWOOT – Apr 29 2011, “……….In the wake of the disaster South Africa’s Cabinet approved the Integrated Resources Plan, or IRP2010, which aims to expand nuclear power capacity Continue reading
France keen to sell nuclear reactors to South Africa
French companies Areva and EDF presented bids for the supply of highly specialised third-generation reactors,…..the president had not held separate talks with Areva and EDF but had attended a dinner at which all French companies with a stake in South Africa were represented.
SA unveils plans for a nuclear future French interested in supplying technology, Times LIVE, Mar 17, 2011 By CAIPHUS KGOSANAThe cabinet has approved a power generation master plan that calls for nuclear technology to become the single biggest new generator of electricity……. Continue reading
France vying with South Korea, to market nuclear power to South Africa
France has emerged as one of several countries, including South Korea, whose companies have been courting South Africa as it shops for multi-billion dollar nuclear power plants….In 2007 Areva submitted a proposal to power utility Eskom to build several nuclear plants in a tender process which was later scrapped due to its steep cost.
Nuclear projects on the agenda for Zuma’s French visit Cape Town, South Africa –— ESI-AFRICA.COM — 18 February 2011 – President Jacob Zuma of South Africa is to sign a €1billion agreement with the French Development Agency during a state visit to France next month, and it is understood that the deal could also touch on a pricey nuclear project. Continue reading
South African nuclear reactor shut down due to radioactivity levels
Eskom Says High Radioactivity Level Prompts Shutdown Of Nuclear Unit, NASDAQ, By Robb M. Stewart, 16 Dec 10, JOHANNESBURG -(Dow Jones)- South Africa’s state-owned power company said Tuesday it will suspend a unit at its nuclear power station near Cape Town because of higher-than-normal levels of radioactivity.The radioactivity level in Koeberg Unit 1’s primary coolant circuit is the result of one or more defective fuel rods in the reactor, Eskom Holdings Ltd. said in a statement………Eskom Says High Radioactivity Level Prompts Shutdown Of Nuclear Unit
Krugersdorp communities endangered by radiation from uranium mining
Tudor Informal Settlement in Krugersdorp is surrounded by land contaminated by mining activities and radioactive dumps.…..He also wants the communities living on these tailings to be relocated as a matter of urgency that all areas containing uranium contamination from mine residues are fenced off.
VIDEOS BusinessDay – Dangerous radiation levels endanger communities – expert (South Africa) Dangerous radiation levels endanger communities – expert, BusinessDay, , Professor Chris Busby, a world expert in uranium has tested mine dumps around Krugersdorp and warns that radiation levels are 15 times higher than normal LIVHUWANI MAMMBURU 2010/12/10 Radiation levels at the Tudor Shaft Informal Settlement in Krugersdorp have reached dangerous levels and the community must be urgently relocated. Continue reading
Nuclear power doubts by South Africa’s industry and finance groups
SAfrica nuclear plan comes under fire by industry | Reuters, By Agnieszka Flak, 4 Dec 10, JOHANNESBURG South Africa’s proposed plan to build six new nuclear plants by 2030 came under scrutiny on Friday as industrial leaders, bankers and environmentalists questioned cost, timelines and feasibility in public hearings. Continue reading
Keen interest in renewable energy by South African businesses
Long queue for slice of renewable energy cake Business Report October 26, 2010By INGI SALGADO tSouth Africa’s decision more than a decade ago to introduce private sector investment in electricity generation soon highlighted the uncomfortable truth that the country’s low pricing regime would not encourage this outcome.
By comparison, the response this month to the Department of Energy’s call for expressions of interest by the private sector in renewable energy and cogeneration projects has been extremely keen – even though developers were given only a week to compile their submissions.Interest for projects offering about 20 000 megawatts of generating capacity has been registered, says Ompi Aphane, the deputy director-general for electricity, nuclear and clean energy. A cursory analysis shows the bulk are wind projects, but solar has made a very strong showing….
Business Report – Opinion/ Analysis – Long queue for slice of renewable energy cake
Green energy rush to take off in South Africa
Green revolution starts to take root, Mail & Guardian Online, LIONEL FAULL | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Oct 20 2010 A massive green rush is under way in South Africa, with major energy, construction and finance companies setting up specialised renewable energy units in anticipation of the government finalising the rules of engagement at the end of the year.The government has set a target of 4%, or 1 025MW, of renewable energy installed from private sector suppliers by 20 13, up from less than 0,1% at present…….
Green revolution starts to take root – Mail & Guardian Online: The smart news source
Radiation exposure of South African nuclear workers
Koeberg radiation leak being probed: News24: South Africa: News, 15 Oct 10, Pretoria – The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) says it has launched a probe into an incident last month at Koeberg nuclear power station in which 91 workers were exposed to radiation……. Continue reading
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