Mycle Schneider, convening lead author and publisher of the internationally acclaimed annual World Nuclear Industry Status Report and independent international energy and nuclear policy analyst, will be in the country next week to share his extensive knowledge on the state of nuclear globally.

The World Wide Fund for Nature, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies  and the Goedgedacht Forum are hosting Schneider in order to draw on his international experience in unpacking some of the key questions surrounding South Africa’s ambition to procure 9 600MW of nuclear energy.

While the country seems to be divided on whether nuclear energy is the appropriate technology to meet its energy needs and reduce its carbon footprint, little is understood about the socio-economic implications of the proposed build. To date, there is very little information in the public domain regarding costs and their resultant implication on electricity tariffs. The criteria for the selection of the various bidders is also largely unknown to the public. As such, extrapolating from the experience of other countries around the world, is vital.

On Tuesday 8 March Schneider will partake in a public debate from 18:30 to 22:00 at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg. The debate, which will interrogate whether nuclear energy is the answer to South Africa’s energy service needs, will be moderated by Xolani Gwala with a key note address by the German Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Walter Lindner.

On Wednesday 9 March, Schneider will participate in a small technical workshop looking at the economics of nuclear energy. Mycle will also be meeting with a number of key stakeholders on his visit.

He is available for press interviews on Friday 11 March.

For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact Lynne Smit 021 554 6270 or 083 299 7383, or email lynne@hippocommunications.com