President Jacob Zuma has authorised Energy Minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, to sign an agreement securing the safe use of nuclear energy with France.

“President Jacob Zuma has granted authority to the Minister of Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, to sign an agreement on Cooperation in the Development of Peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy, between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the French Republic,” states Presidential spokesperson, Mac Maharaj.

In a statement on released on Friday last week, the Presidency explained that the details of the signing of the agreement will be discussed between the Energy Department and their counterparts in France. This follows President Zuma granting permission to Minister Joemat-Pettersson to sign an agreement between South Africa and Russia last month.

The Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in the Fields of Nuclear Power and Industry Agreement was signed on 20 September 2014.

Earlier this month, the Presidency said media reports that President Zuma has negotiated or will negotiate and conclude nuclear power agreements alone are incorrect.

In the State of the Nation Address in June this year, President Zuma announced that the country would prioritise energy security and would pursue an energy mix including coal, nuclear, shale gas and renewable energy.

The Energy Department maintains it was doing preparatory work towards the procurement process of nuclear power.

“… There will be a procurement process and the work that the department is doing is preparation towards that,” Deputy Director General (DDG) for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy, Zizamele Mbambo, said at the time.

At the briefing, the department said it was due to sign an agreement with France this month. South Africa has several of nuclear agreements with other countries, including Russia and the United States.