Parliament, Friday, 18 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy met and received annual reports presentations from the entities within the energy sector, including the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institution (NRWDI), the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).
The meeting provided an opportunity for these entities to present their performance for the 2023/24 financial and to outline the strategic initiatives they have undertaken to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.
The presentations highlighted significant achievements across all entities, with NNR reporting a performance score of 92.85% and NRWDI achieving a clean audit report. NERSA noted a remarkable increase in its performance targets, reaching 97%, while SANEDI reported 98% performance across its programmes.
These outcomes reflect a concerted effort to address previous challenges and promote a more stable and effective energy landscape.
Committee members had questions about the entities' strategic focus. They asked about the NNR's target-setting process, particularly the rationale behind the 85% performance target, which they felt may require re-evaluation given the organisation's historical performance of consistently exceeding 90%.
In its engagement with the entities, the committee expressed significant concerns regarding safety in the nuclear sector, particularly concerning the operations and regulatory oversight of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR). Members highlighted that while the NNR achieved a commendable performance score, there is an expectation for 100% compliance, especially given the potential risks associated with nuclear energy. Some committee members voiced the importance of ensuring that the NNR be vigilant in its regulatory functions to prevent nuclear accidents, stressing that the public's safety must remain the foremost priority. Members urged the NNR to enhance its public communication strategies to alleviate fears surrounding nuclear energy and actively educate citizens on the safety measures in place.
The committee interrogated the entities' regulatory compliance and the implications of non-compliance incidents, particularly NERSA's responsibilities in ensuring municipalities adhere to approved tariff structures.
The committee expressed its concern regarding the challenges NERSA faces in developing regulatory tools, particularly considering its long-standing existence since 2005. The committee further sought to understand the reasons for delays and whether the necessary resources and capacities were in place to effectively execute NERSA mandate. The committee also discussed the need for improved stakeholder engagement processes to enhance collaboration and ensure that all voices are heard in regulatory discussions.
The issue of vacancies in these entities was raised, with members questioning the implications of a reported vacancy rate in the context of previous years' figures. The committee stressed the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce, particularly considering the country's ongoing energy challenges.
The committee acknowledged the commendable progress made by the entities in navigating the complexities of the energy sector. However, the committee stressed the need for continued vigilance and improvement in all areas of operation within the entities.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY, MS NONKOSI MVANA
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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