Chairperson, despite a review of nuclear policy by Germany, Japan and China after the Fukushima disaster, six nuclear reactors are still being contemplated in the current Integrated Resource Plan. Our own Department of Trade and Industry's Industrial Policy Action Plan states:
A future nuclear programme will cost in excess of R1 trillion. This will place enormous strain on the balance of payments and without an effective localisation programme will have severe consequences for the South African economy.
Successful localisation will require a fleet approach to ensure economies of scale and commencement of construction of one nuclear reactor every 18 to 24 months to ensure viable business opportunities.
Nowhere in the world has this economy of scale been achieved in the nuclear industry; and, of course, popular resistance to the reactors will delay the programme for years to come. We therefore call on you, hon Minister, to rather put the R1 trillion towards the implementation of energy-efficiency measures and the localisation of wind and solar energy production.
The ACDP has appealed to the Minister of Science and Technology, and further appeals to you, hon Minister, to urgently investigate technologies patented in South Africa, which will enable South Africa to pioneer the transition from a carbon-based economy to hydrogen, the commercialisation of which will open new market spaces and create massive employment opportunities for our people.
These emerging technologies integrate power supply and waste and wastewater remediation in the context of local communities. They will provide the power requirements of a community while remediating and recycling water as well as eliminating the waste of the community at its point of generation. This will eliminate the need to transport the waste at a huge cost to the taxpayer.
It provides the opportunity to generate licence revenues which will substantially provide for the establishment of these facilities throughout Africa. I would like to provide you with the relevant information. I would really appreciate an opportunity to discuss it with you further.
The ACDP has reservations regarding the budget and especially the spending on nuclear plants, but we will be supporting this Budget Vote.