By Rachel Mohamed
The approval of a new nuclear power plant at Duynefontein in the Western Cape by Environmental Minister Dion George has been met with strong opposition from two environmental activists, Earthlife Africa and Green Connection. This comes after the utility cancelled a Koeberg project agreement to install steam generators at the nuclear power station.
Speaking on VOC News, the Director of Earthlife Africa, Makoma Lekalakala, explained that as an environmental justice organization, they requested an environmental impact assessment of the plant.
“I think that the minister made a gross mistake because there’s still more licensing that is needed for the plant. South Africa cannot afford this plant,” she said.
“Eskom Koeberg has been slapped with almost a billion-rand fine from French nuclear contractor Framatome. So, how are we going to afford that when debts are mounting over Koeberg’s power station itself, and some of the malfunctioning reactors are called into question if the minister applied his mind or was under pressure?”
Listen to the full interview:
VOC News
Photo: Pixabay
