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Port Elizabeth going Nuclear

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Nelson Mandela Bay is set to go nuclear next week when the city hosts the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa’s (NIASA) annual industry convention.

The convention, which will be held at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre, will run from August 14 to 16. It will be followed by a tour of the Coega IDZ and the Port of Ngqura.

“A considerable expansion of nuclear power is coming to South Africa. This is exciting. It also brings with it great challenges and opportunities for South African industry, large and small,” says NIASA president Rob Adam. “With the construction of a number of large nuclear reactors in the pipeline, major economic benefits will results from this nuclear program.”

The conference will host various speakers who address members of the nuclear industry in South Africa. Among the speakers for the event are:

  • Mcebisi Jonas: MEC: Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism: Eastern Cape;
  • Neliswe Magubane: Director General: Department of Energy;
  • Leslie Sedibe: CEO: Proudly South African;
  • Bob Pearce: Director of International Project Development: Westinghouse; Canada;
  • Phumzile Tshelane: CEO: Necsa;
  • John Bendo: Nuclear Energy Business Manager: ASME; New York; US;
  • Weidong Shen: Chief Representative; South Africa: SNPTC; China;
  • Douglas McDonald: Vice President, New Unit Sales Africa and Middle East: Hitachi;
  • Boris Arseev: Vice President, Rosatom Overseas;
  • Ben Fihla: Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality;
  • Mandla Madwara: Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber;
  • Andrew Kenny: Energy Consultant;
  • Paul Sampson: Nuclear Manager, Bureau Veritas;
  • Paul Fitzsimons: General Manager Power & Energy: Gibb Engineering; and
  • Dr Alex Tsela: CEO, Mzansi Energy Solutions and Innovations

“We need the South African industry to benefit from this great venture. Companies which have never been involved in nuclear activities before can enter the developments at this early stage. There will also be a number of opportunities to meet the various companies that are involved in the nuclear industry and network with the current industry players,” Adam says.

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) will host NIASA delegates on Friday August 16 where they will be addressed by Mpumi Dweba Port of Ngqura port manager, Captain Thulani Dubeko Port of Ngqura harbour master, CDC executive manager for business development Chris Mashigo and CDC manager of economic infrastructure development, Mfundo Piti, before departing on the tour.

“We are pleased to welcome members of the NIASA this month,” CDC head of marketing and communications Ayanda Vilakazi said. “Coega is a well-recognised pioneer of alternative energy sources. Nuclear will assist greatly with localisation, manufacturing and current projects within the IDZ, such as Agnisteels, DCD as well as industries in the region that will benefit from the enabling nature of the nuclear chain.

“As the leading industrial development zone in South Africa Coega is at the forefront of attracting local and foreign direct investment across all sectors including energy.”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.