The Department of Energy says the government's nuclear procurment programme will commence this month.
Minister, Tina Joemat-Petterson, said the procument process would be completed by the end of the year to select a Strategic Partner or Partners.
In reply to a question by DA MP, Gordon Mackay, Joemat-Pettersen, said the Department of Energy has also taken several steps to investigate the financing of the nuclear programme, working alongside other government departments.
But, Mackay said the secrecry and lack of transparency around the nuclear build programme, expected to cost upwards of a trillion rand, leaves it vulnerable to undue political influence like with the Arms Deal.
He said the process is also seemingly backward as the Department of Energy will first select the preferred bidder, and only then begin the actual procurement process which assesses suitability and affordability.
"This is in direct contradiction to international best practice, as per the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which states that all bids should be thoroughly evaluated by a country's national nuclear regulator before the actual procurement begins. This evaluation should consider various factors including the technology offered and its safety, the applicability to that country, and the cost. The regulator then ought to make recommendations to the Energy Department," said Mackay.
"There is reason to believe that thorough assessment of bidders is being sacrificed and the procurement process is being rushed in order to suit the timetables of certain bidders. Funding arrangements, such as the Russians promising to fund the build and operation themselves, cannot be the basis for procurement. The basis must primarily be about suitability and affordability."
