Parliament, Saturday, 25 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy received briefings yesterday from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI), and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) on their annual performance plans (APP) and budgets for the 2026/2027 financial year.
During engagements, Members of the committee queried the NNRs public education efforts concerning nuclear safety, given the specialised nature of the industry. They wanted to know the broader strategy on educating the public on nuclear safety. The NNR explained that while only two programs are formalised the entity engages extensively with the public through outreach initiatives focused on communities near nuclear facilities.
They also sought clarity on NERSA's role in addressing the problem of excessive municipal electricity tariffs and on plans that are in place within the entity’s APP to enhance oversight of municipal electricity tariffs. Members informed the entity’s management that there has been considerable debate in the committee regarding the perception that some municipal tariffs are excessively high.
The entity told the committee that it faces challenges with some municipalities not complying with regulations. It said before NERSA recommends revocation of any licenses, the Act requires that an alternative supplier be in place to take over from the licensee whose license they would be revoking. NERSA also informed the committee that they have begun a tribunal process to enforce compliance with license conditions.
The entity said the process involves notifying municipalities of their non-compliance and providing them with an opportunity to rectify the issues. If they fail to do so NERSA may impose fines, which can amount to R2 million per day for non-compliant municipalities.
The committee told the entity to realign its organisational structure to effectively manage the expanded mandate resulting from the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act. NERSA committed to completing this organisational realignment by the second or third quarter of the current financial year.
On SANEDI, the committee probed how research programs would translate into economic and energy system impacts. SANEDI told the committee that measurable targets include intellectual property, publications, patents, job creation, and the number of graduates stemming from commercialisation efforts.
When asked about quantifiable energy savings, SANEDI told the committee about an aim 4 million megawatt hours of savings and a 6-megaton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the year. SANEDI also stated that the savings are verified by independent measurement and verification (M&V) professionals in line with ISO protocols.
In their presentation, the NRWDI outlined their mandate for the responsible management and disposal of radioactive waste nationally, including maintaining the Vaalputs facility. Members of the committee queried the plans for the long-term disposal of radioactive waste facilities. NRWDI stated that for long-term operational waste, they are engaging with Eskom to finalise licensing by 2027 under the current Vaalputs license.
For high-level waste, an environmental impact assessment is expected to be submitted by March 2027 alongside preliminary design work as they work to secure funding for the siting license application.
In welcoming the briefings from all the entities, the committee encouraged the entities to ensure that they meet the targets and plans they have set. It assured them about its support to them in the context of its mandate to hold them accountable to meet their goal of energy security, affordability and sustainability.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Zama Khanyase, told the entities that the country relies on their maximum support to the department in tackling the energy trilemma which involves achievement of energy security, sustainability, and affordability.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY, MS ZAMA KHANYASE
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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