Mr Speaker, I just want to thank the hon member for the congratulatory messages that she has given to the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation, Necsa, and the microchannel process technology for the contract that they have with the United States, US, Department of Energy for the supply of radioisotopes to the US market.
I want to indicate to the House that, as we speak, South Africa is the biggest supplier of radioisotopes in the world. It is very interesting that we could be the biggest supplier of radioisotopes, because this is an intervention that is actually making sure that we can have better medical outcomes in terms of interventions in the areas of cancer and other debilitating diseases.
I also want to indicate here that one of the interesting developments around this contract is that the President of the Republic of South Africa, in his input in the US-convened Nuclear Security Summit, indicated to the world that South Africa was going to continue using nuclear material, but that that would be intended to heal, feed, as well as to provide energy and water to the nation.
Earlier, one member indicated the challenges that we have in relation to water in South Africa. I just want to indicate that interventions have already been made through PetroSA in the Mossel Bay area, where we are going to be desalinating water, producing about 150 million barrels per day, which shall be the water supply for the Mossel Bay Municipality, of which 10 000 million barrels will be for the supply of the community, whilst the other five will be for the Mossel Bay PetroSA plant.
This is an indication that we could also use nuclear-related material to desalinate sea water for household and human consumption. I want to indicate that South Africa is actually a leader in this area, and that is why we've put so much focus, in particular, in this area.
The interesting thing is that from today we have an extension on the comments for the public process for the Integrated Resource Plan, IRP, and nuclear energy would be one of the considerations that we make. I'm appealing to members of this House to participate in those particular engagements, because Parliament is one of the biggest beneficiaries of nuclear energy in this country as this part of the world is actually supplied through Koeberg. So, if anything, it is in this House where we have to make a case for it. [Time expired.]