Shale gas and nuclear energy under spotlight as energy options for South Africa
The media are invited to a round-table discussion in Pretoria on 17 July, on available energy sources for South Africa in the light of frequent power outages.
The round table will be hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), together with the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).
Energy can undoubtedly contribute immensely to economic growth and job creation, and the roundtable will explore how the South African government can enact policies that will best enable the sector to do so.
A critical part of the deliberations will be to examine the reasoning behind the country’s strong focus on nuclear energy and shale gas as long-term energy options, despite cost considerations, related risks, environmental damage and global trends that disprove these choices. The discussions will also explore energy issues through a science, technology and innovation lens as worldwide, smart energy technologies are considered key to sustaining supply in light of increasing demand.
Sir Mark Walport, Chief Scientific Adviser to the United Kingdom government, will deliver the keynote address. Other speakers include Mr Joel Netshitenzhe, MISTRA Executive Director, Mr Kevin Nassiep, a NACI Councillor, and Ms Tshilidzi Ramuedzisi, Chief Director: Energy Planning at the Department of Energy.
Media are invited as follows:
Date: 17 July 2015
Venue: Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria
Time: 08:30 to 12:30
For more information, contact Veronica Mohapeloa at +27 83 400 5750 or veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za