S.Africa aims to select nuclear power partner this year

South Africa intends to select this year an international partner to build a series of nuclear power reactors that would end the regular electricity blackouts that have hobbled economic growth, the energy minister told parliament Tuesday. Five nations — Russia, France, China, the United States and South Korea — have been chosen to compete for the controversial contract to build eight nuclear reactors worth up to $50 billion (45 billion euros). “We will commence with the actual nuclear procurement process in the second quarter of this financial year to select a strategic partner or partners in a competitive, fair, transparent and cost effective manner,” Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said.