The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy has invited interested individuals and relevant stakeholders to submit written comments and indicate interest in making an oral submission on the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill and the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill.

The invitation is in line with Parliament’s core objective of facilitating public participation and involvement in legislative processes.

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Electricity Regulation Act, so as to delete, amend and insert certain definitions; to provide for the application of the Act; to provide for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to consider applications for licences and the issue of licences; to provide for revocation and deregistration of licences; and to provide for additional electricity, new generation capacity and electricity infrastructure.

Moreover, to provide for the establishment, duties, powers and functions of the Transmission System Operator and transitional measures; to provide for an open market platform that allows for competitive electricity trading; to assign the duties, powers and functions of the Transmission System Operator to the National Transmission Company South Africa; to provide for delegation and assignment; to provide for offences and penalties; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Meanwhile, the National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill seeks to amend the National Nuclear Regulator Act, so as to substitute certain definitions and insert new definitions; to authorise the regulator to perform additional regulatory functions; and to provide for conditions applicable to the transfer of responsibility for authorised activities.

Moreover, to provide for additional powers of inspectors; to provide for financial provision for costs associated with safe rehabilitation or decommissioning of nuclear facilities; to provide for administrative fines; to provide for the establishment of the National Dose Register; to provide for a centralised database of radiation workers; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Written submissions must be directed to Arico Kotze and be addressed to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, 3rd floor, 90 Plein Street, Cape Town, 8000; emailed to akotze@parliament.gov.za; or faxed to 086 5055 618 by no later than October 13.

In addition to the written comments, interested individuals and relevant stakeholders are requested to indicate their interest in making a verbal presentation.