Deputy Speaker, it is essential that government is completely transparent in its planned procurement of a nuclear power fleet. This process, if it goes ahead, will be the single largest procurement of goods in South African history. No deal should be signed with regard to the nuclear expansion programme without the full terms of reference and any contracts coming before Parliament.
The nuclear industry is shrouded in secrecy. If South Africa is to do business with nuclear service providers, it must be made clear by government that these deals will be conducted in the full glare of public scrutiny.
As yet, there is no clarity on the cost of the procurement and the number of power stations government intends procuring. The bill for the planned nuclear expansion is rumoured to be between R400 billion and R1 trillion. Nothing about the proposed build programme should be inevitable: If we cannot afford it, then no deal should be signed.
The upfront price of nuclear expansion is always outweighed by the actual cost incurred. In particular, building delays and price escalations have a habit of dramatically increasing the final bill.
If government is intent on pursuing an expansion of nuclear capacity, it should do so with its eyes wide open. It needs to provide Parliament and the South African people with clear evidence that it has weighed up all factors and options. [Applause.]