Cabinet approves South Africa's nuclear policy

The South African Cabinet has approved the country's controversial nuclear energy policy. The Department of Minerals and Energy is currently finalising an implementation plan in consultation with key stakeholders. Government spokesman Themba Maseko said the nuclear policy would reduce South Africa's over-reliance on coal, which resulted in the country being a major emitter of greenhouse gases. A recent study published in the International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology suggests however that significant problems that cannot be overcome prevent nuclear power from being used to reduce climate change emissions.

 

Read the report in Engineering News? Click here>> http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=135660

 

From: African Energy News Review (Issue 11-13 June 08)

 

About African Energy News Review
This electronic service covers energy news that is relevant to the African continent, and is aimed at business, government, NGOs, academics and the general public. In order to cover the costs of research, writing and publication, a subscription fee to access the email edition and website is payable. Please feel free to subscribe with no obligation and we will contact you regarding the subscription fee. www.energynews.co.za / info@energynews.co.za

Will oil reach $200 a barrel and petrol R16 per litre?

Economists and analysts are predicting anything from a $200 a barrel 'super spike' in oil prices to a settling down of oil prices to $60 a barrel due to a global economic slowdown. If oil reaches $200 a barrel, South African motorists can expect to pay as much as R16 per litre of petrol and R17.50 for diesel. Senior economist at Econometrix, Tony Twine, said that while the oil price could reach $200, it could also settle to around $60 a barrel, which would result in petrol dropping to around R6 per litre. Gary Ronald of the Automobile Association said $200 for a barrel of oil was "too dreadful to even contemplate". The ministers of the Organisation of Petroleum Export Countries (Opec), the cartel of oil-producing countries, have predicted that the oil price could reach $200 a barrel within two years, but a United Nations report last month suggested that that the global economic slowdown could cause oil prices to fall to $95 a barrel this year and $90 next year. Last week the price of oil hit a record high of $139 a barrel, amid reports it could reach $150 by July because of rising demand and political tension in the Middle East.

 

Read the report in the Sunday Independent? Click here>> http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/?fSectionId=3536&fArticleId=vn20080608112201761C892082

 

From: African Energy News Review (Issue 11-13 June 08)

 

About African Energy News Review
This electronic service covers energy news that is relevant to the African continent, and is aimed at business, government, NGOs, academics and the general public. In order to cover the costs of research, writing and publication, a subscription fee to access the email edition and website is payable. Please feel free to subscribe with no obligation and we will contact you regarding the subscription fee. www.energynews.co.za / info@energynews.co.za