Greenpeace Africa hopes Ramaphosa will scrap nuclear deal

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CAPE TOWN - "We trust that president Cyril Ramaphosa will listen to the massive opposition from the South African public and leave the dodgy nuclear deal far behind," Greenpeace Africa said on Friday. The South African civil society groups and opposition parties have been pushing back on government's plan to add 9 600 megawatts of electricity to the grid through nuclear plants. Happy Khambule, the political advisor at Greenpeace Africa notes that there is a tough job ahead for the new leadership of the country. "We believe one of the most pressing issues is to start to create stability, increase trust in the country’s government, and to choose a new pathway in establishing transparency and accountability in the energy sector". Also read: Stocks, rand roar as Ramaphosa takes charge In an interview with the eNCA, Khambule has said that they will utilize all communication platforms at their availability to engage with the relevant government departments in ensuring that Greanpeace influences Ramaphosa's decisions on energy matters.

Greenpeace Africa also looks forward to the new Integrated Resource Plan and calls on Ramaphosa to "stop that coal".

Khambule feels that there was a distant relationship between the former president Jacob Zuma and the energy advocacy groups.

"It is time to remove the barriers to renewable energy, which can enable the achievement of universal access to energy and power disadvantaged communities much faster and at a cost South Africans can afford. We call on the President to push ahead with a renewable-powered future that will not leave South Africans in the dark," this organisation said in a statement.

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Ramaphosa recently commented at the World Economic Forum in Davos, that South Africa had "excess power right now and we have no money to go for major nuclear plant building".

Melita Steele, the senior campaign manager at Greenpeace Africa said, "Greenpeace has long argued that nuclear is never safe, and is simply unaffordable".

She further said that the organisation looks forward to the updated IRP without the inclusion of crushing nuclear energy investments.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa will soon elect his new cabinet and the Energy Minister, David Mahlobo is unlikely to retain his position, according to lobby groups and economists.

Wayne Duvenage, the CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse told Business Report that Mahlobo has limited experience on energy and his appointment as the Energy Minister was based on Zuma's interest in speeding up the nuclear deal with Russia. "Ramaphosa will be problematic with him in this regard".

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- BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE