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Nuclear Communication and Stakeholder

Engagement

IAEA Technical Meeting: “Effective

techniques & messages to engage with

decision makers and the public”

Bristol, UK

4 – 7 November 2014

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DoE Mandate

Current Scenario

Country Background

Current Perceptions

Current Stakeholder Activities

State of Nuclear Communication

Communication Objectives

Communication Challenges

Contents

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Legislative Development for energy (electricity &

petroleum)

Policy development for the energy mandate.

Overseeing implementation of:

Energy policy’s

Legislations

DoE Programmes

6 State Owned Entities (SOE’s) Programmes

(CEF Group, SANEDI, NNR, NECSA, NRWDI)

DoE Mandate

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4 SOE’s – Nuclear sector role players

NNR (National Nuclear Regulator)

- Est. and governed in terms of Section 3 of the National Nuclear

Regulator Act, (Act No 47 of 1999).

- To provide for the protection of persons, property and the environment

against nuclear damage through the establishment of safety standards

and regulatory practices.

- Accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Energy, governed

by a Board.

NECSA (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation)

– Public company ito the Nuclear Energy Act, 1999 (Act No. 46 of 1999).

- To undertake and promote research and development in the field of

nuclear energy and radiation sciences and technology; process source

material, special nuclear material and restricted material, & to co-operate

with relevant parties.

- Accountable to Parliament via the Minister, governed by a Board.

Country Background

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4 SOE’s – Nuclear sector role players cont….

ESKOM (DPE)

- Est. as a statutory body in 1923, & converted to a public

company July 2002 governed by a Board, & accountable to

Parliament via the Minister

- Mandated to provide electricity ito generation, transmission, &

distribution – including wholesale and retail sales.

- Transports and distributes +-95% of SA electricity (60% of

Africa’s consumption). 45% supplier to SADC.

- Owner Operator of SA’s 1 Nuclear Power Station (Koeberg).

NRWDI (National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute)

- Est. in terms of the Radioactive Waste Management Policy and

Strategy, and is responsible for the Management of radioactive

waste disposal on a national basis.

- Accountable to the Parliament via the Minister of Energy, &

currently in the process of being set-up by a Board appointed in

March 2014

Country Background

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3 Existing Installations:

Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant (Eskom) (30 years) – 1800MW/5%

percent national grid contribution and primary Western Cape

electricity source.

SAFARI-1 Nuclear Reactor (NECSA) (49 years) – Gauteng

located research reactor & major international isotope producer.

Vaalputs Waste Disposal (NECSA) – Northern Cape located

storage of low & intermediate radioactive waste.

Future Programme:

Proposed nuclear new build - 9 600 MW based on:

• Increased base load requirement (2008 black outs)

• Nuclear Act 2008

• IRP2010-30 (revision 2013 & NDP)

• NNEECC (Nov 2011) Cabinet led decision making body

Country Background

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Country Background

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Current Perceptions

Stakeholder General

Attitudes

Possible

reasons

Action/Status

Labour Negative Competing

industry ito job

interests

High level engagement

@ national platforms,

eg. NEDLAC

Media Negative Risks

associated ito

cost, skills,

safety, process,

corruption

On-going engagement

of

developments/outcome

s – IGA’s, VPWs

NGOs Negative Risks

associated ito

cost, skills,

safety, process,

corruption

Need on-going

engagement - WWF,

EL, Religious

leaders, EC

communities closest

to proposed new

build sites

Sector Positive Economic

opportunities

On-going engagement

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Current Perceptions

Stakeholder General

Attitudes

Possible

reasons

Action/Status

General

Public

Neutral HSRC Survey

2013 -

‘Locational’ ito

with proximity

& experience

– eg. WC

positive vs GP

negative;

‘Education

levels’ better

educated

having more

positive based

on benefits vs

costs etc.

Nuclear demystification

information sharing –

community level and

general media

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Why have Nuclear Energy? • Coastal or inland – Base-load to Stabilise

Grid

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Current Stakeholder

Activities Mitigation

Strategies

Actions

Government -Integrated policy development & planning via the

NNEECC; IMC (DoE, DPE, NT, Def, DEA, DST,

SSA)

-Co-ordinates a Nuclear Communicators TT for

coordinated strategising, planning and

implementation.

-Community Outreach promoting direct interaction.

-Media engagements.

-Exhibitions (partnership – industry, SAYNPS,

WinSA).

-Vendor Parade workshops – nuclear new build

SOE’s -Quarterly Public Safety Information Forum’s

(PSIFs)

-Visitors Centre’s

-Build site EIAs & Public engagement

-Annual emergency exercise drill

-Annual Exhibitions (Science Week)

-Media engagement

-Special Groups Engagements (SAYNPS, WinSA)

Sector 2-3 annual industry conferences

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Current Scenario

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State of Nuclear Communication Strategic

2013 Long term phased Communication Strategy &

Implementation Plan

Key Messaging

Policy – SA is a Uranium producer & nuclear energy will

ensure national energy security + economic benefits.

Emissions reductions by 42% by 2014, and 35% by 2025.

Sites – EIAs implemented to ensure that nuclear sites are

safe with minimal environmental impact

Energy - nuclear power is safe, cheap and stabilises the

electricity grid vs intermittent RE capacity.

Technology - demystification and nuclear usage in everyday

life.

Safety - nuclear is regulated and ready for emergencies.

Industry – industry, business and communities opportunities.

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Communication Objectives

Promote acceptance of the role of nuclear within the

energy mix ito IRP 2010-30 (source diversification iot

ensure secure and sustainable supply.)

Influence public opinion of Government objectives with

the nuclear programme.

Increase public acceptance of nuclear energy.

Increase public awareness of the nuclear programme.

Create a more open and transparent nuclear

programme process.

Make Government information channels the first and

trusted point of call for information on the nuclear

programme.

Demystify and Humanise Nuclear Energy.

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Communication Challenges

Concern

area

Mitigation

Funding NNEECC approved Communication Strategy to lead to

funding decision – costs to be carried by DoE and

SOE’s.

Capacity -Combined efforts between govt and entities.

-Need to train more officials to communicate in nuclear

issues.

Roles &

Responsibi

lities

-NNEECC endorsed structures working together

towards integrated and aggressive communication

campaign.

-Need to encourage independent expert sector voices

(greater public credibility.)

Public

perception

s

-Government leads in directing integrated unified

common messaging towards demystifying Nuclear as a

viable option.

-HSRC 2011&13 National Survey conducted shows

very low levels of nuclear knowledge / awareness.

-Need to promote inclusivity (political & civil) ito

planning processes.

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THANK YOU