Russia looms large in murky South Africa nuclear plan

Subject South Africa-Russia cooperation on nuclear energy. Significance Fitch Ratings yesterday warned of a possible credit rating downgrade later in the year, partly due to weak growth linked to power supply woes. President Jacob Zuma outlined the government's long-term energy security plan in his February 12 state of the nation address, though subsequent attention on the details of a nuclear 'deal' with Russia reveal secretive diplomacy and governance problems. Impacts The start of power production at Eskom's long-delayed Medupi power station will begin to ease supply woes -- but slowly. Johannesburg's plan to generate power from biogas could encourage other cities to implement independent programmes. State plans to generate 23 billion rand to help Eskom by selling "non-strategic" assets could be resisted by affected ministries and unions.

Subject South Africa's upcoming credit rating and interest rate decisions. Significance Fitch Ratings yesterday said it would not downgrade South Africa to 'junk' when it conducts its mid-year sovereign credit rating review. This is despite structural weaknesses in the economy, uncertainty over the management of power utility Eskom and possible disruptive strikes. The relatively doveish South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will monitor closely the effects of a strengthening dollar on the wider economy. Impacts The Eskom board's plan to remove controversial chairman Zola Tsotsi could be complicated by his alleged links to President Jacob Zuma. The murky nuclear 'deal' with Russia allows the state to appear to have a long-term energy plan, but raises governance concerns. Frustration over Eskom's mismanagement could expedite legislation allowing greater state intervention, but this could worsen the problem. The fiscal shock of a high public wage settlement could be cushioned by a 'contingency fund', but risks incentivising future high demands.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 2434-2440
Author(s):  
CRISTINA BACĂU ◽  
◽  
NICOLETA MATEOC-SÎRB ◽  
RAMONA CIOLAC ◽  
TEODOR MATEOC ◽  
...  

The use of renewable energy resources is gaining more and more ground, thanks to the continuous increase in the price of fossil energy and the decrease in stocks, and the management of waste from nuclear energy production, respectively. The implementation of an energy strategy to harness the potential of renewable energy sources (RES) is part of the coordinates of Romania’s medium – and long-term energy development and provides the appropriate framework for the making of decisions on energy alternatives and the inclusion in the Community acquis in the field. In this respect, a study on the biomass potential of Timiş County and on the possibilities of producing unconventional energy from biomass has been carried out. The study is based on research, data collection from the literature, as well as from official documents or official websites, the processing and interpretation of the data and their quantitative and qualitative analysis. It was concluded that biomass is a promising renewable energy source for Romania, both in terms of potential and in terms of usability.


Subject The project to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point. Significance Reports that construction of the planned nuclear power station at Hinkley Point may be postponed will raise further concerns about the project's prospects as well as the long-term direction of the UK electricity sector. The reports follow weeks of debate in the United Kingdom and France over whether construction should go ahead and over further delays in the final investment decision on the project (now scheduled for May). Impacts Depending on how the French government decides to support EDF, approval by the European Commission may be needed. The Austrian government has legally challenged the Commission's approval of UK plans to support the project. The UK government's existing plans for maintaining electricity supply -- the so-called 'capacity auctions' -- may need to be revisited.


Subject Arguments about gas prices as a reflection of deteriorating relations. Significance Attempts by the Belarusian government to secure a lower price for gas imported from Russia have political undertones. The government is cautiously distancing itself from Moscow while signalling an openness to improved ties with the West. A long-term energy security programme adopted in December 2015 sets out steps towards diversifying fuel imports and would, if successful, undermine Russia's role as monopoly supplier. Impacts Reduced economic reliance on Russia is likely to be accompanied by greater political frictions. A worsening relationship could prompt Moscow to consider covertly undermining the Belarusian leadership. The government is unlikely to institute democratic and human rights reforms. This reluctance to change will be a constraint on closer EU ties.


Significance The package of 39 projects, worth MXN297bn (USD14.5bn), aims to boost post-pandemic economic growth through privately funded investments or strategic alliances between private entities and state governments in infrastructure, energy and communications. Several government flagship infrastructure projects also receive increased resources in the proposed 2021 budget. Impacts The ARE will not solve Mexico’s long-term energy needs as it excludes major areas such as hydrocarbons exploration and production. The 190,000 jobs that the ARE may create will do little to offset the 2 million formal jobs lost due to the pandemic in March-August. Most of the employment that will be created by the ARE and government priority projects will be temporary, low-paid jobs. Concerns regarding contractual security under the current administration will continue to dampen investor confidence.


Headline SOUTH AFRICA: Weak growth outlook will weigh on budget


Headline SOUTH AFRICA: Gold mining faces long-term decline


1995 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 71-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.N Chae ◽  
D.G Lee ◽  
C.Y Lim ◽  
B.W Lee

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