South African nuclear power plan stirs fears of secrecy and graft
Source: Reuters
Fears are growing in South Africa that agreements to build nuclear power plants that could be the most expensive procurement in the country's history will be made behind closed doors, without the necessary public scrutiny.
Among those voicing concern, two government sources say the Treasury is not being included in procurement discussions, despite the massive budgetary implications of a project that experts say may cost as much as $100 billion.
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"The whole deal has been veiled in secrecy. We have no details on what we're buying, how much it's going to cost or how we're going to pay for it," shadow energy minister Gordon Mackay told Reuters.
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"The nuclear deal is of huge concern given South Africa's history of endemic corruption," said Andrew Feinstein, a former ANC lawmaker and now executive director of Corruption Watch UK.
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A 2013 study by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre found more nuclear power was not needed and would not be cost-effective, based on an estimated installed cost of $7,000 per kilowatt.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/14/safrica-nuclear-idUSL5N10N2FM20150814