By Hügo Krüger
The 2023 Integrated Resources Plan has not been finalised, and before it can be I would like for them to respond to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) request that I filed on behalf of Truth in Energy (Tie).
There requests were submitted in January 2023 under the following references:
- Request 8/4/3/582: Given that the Department of Minerals and Energy has not responded, I feel obligated to make this request public. What are the qualifications of the modellers?
- Request 8/4/3/583: Will there be model transparency? Ideally, the source code should be made public for scrutiny, so we can verify what is in the black box.
- Request 8/4/3/584: What quality plan, quality policy manual and model verification procedures were followed?
- Request 8/4/3/585: Please clarify if the allocated number to nuclear in the reference scenario is fair to all vendors.
The Department of Minerals and Energy’s Legal Services acknowledged receipt of my submission, initially stating they were unaware of it, only to later request an additional fee (that I paid). It has now been months, far exceeding the stipulated 30-day response period and I am yet to get a definite answer.
This timeline, extending over six months, goes well beyond the 30-day period, even accounting for an additional potential 30-day extension. Unfortunately, this delay is unacceptable, and I believe I have been more than generous with the time afforded.
I can only conclude that they are ignoring the request.
The public should be aware that the IRP2023 is a critical document for South Africa’s future electricity mix. The modelling scenario will shape the way forward, and given that taxpayer money is undoubtedly involved (up to R1 trillion if not more in planned investments), the public has the right to know who is conducting the modelling, whether they are qualified, whether the process is rigorous, and whether the allocated nuclear capacity is fair to all potential vendors.
I would request for DMRE, especially since there are now two new ministers in charge, to not obfuscate their responsibility in making this knowledge public.
Hügo Krüger is a YouTube podcaster, writer and civil nuclear engineer who has worked on a variety of energy-related infrastructure projects ranging from Nuclear Power, LNG and Renewable Technologies.
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