SOUTH AFRICA REQUESTS U.S. ENERGY PLANNING MODEL

UNCLAS PRETORIA 000500 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/NESS:CMARTIN, OES/PCI:LBRUTTON AND OES/PCI:GTHOMPSON DOE FOR NE:AHAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SF SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA REQUESTS U.S. ENERGY PLANNING MODEL AND COOPERATION REF: (A) JOHANNESBURG 00035 (B) PRETORIA 00373 (C) STATE 13805 ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) Summary. South Africa has requested U.S. assistance with developing a U.S.-based energy planning model and seeks broader cooperation around energy issues. The South African Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) would like to send two senior officials to Washington to meet with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials regarding energy planning models. DME has also expressed interest in developing a broad agreement around energy issues. Post requests point(s) of contact for DME requests. End Summary. -------------- A Call for Help -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In a February 5 meeting with econoff, DME Nuclear Chief Tseliso Maqubela asked econoff for DOE assistance with energy planning. Maqubela said DME wants to adopt the U.S. model for energy planning, specifically referencing DOE's National Energy Modeling System. He said DME has until May to produce a new energy plan. Maqubela asked to send two senior DME officials to Washington DC the following week to meet with DOE officials and learn how to adopt the U.S. National Energy Modeling System. Econoff agreed to forward the request but said that more time would be needed to prepare for the visit. -------------- Broader Cooperation Sought -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Maqubela told econoff that the December 1 meeting between DME Minister Buywela Sonjica and DOE Secretary Bodman on the margins of the Corporate Council for Africa's Oil and Gas Forum in Bethesda went extremely well. Maqubela said that the two agreed to cooperate on energy issues and that the use of the energy model was discussed. Maqubela called the meeting represented a "turning point" in U.S./SAG energy relations and said we should pursue a broad cooperative agreement around all energy issues. He said that this inclusive approach would help deflect the current narrow focus on nuclear cooperation agreements which have been stalled for several years. Note: An R&D agreement on Nuclear Energy is ready for signature and Maqbela provided a point of contact for signature coordination (septel). End Note. ¶5. (SBU) Maqubela suggested initiating broader energy cooperation with an MOU which would describe cooperation around hydrocarbons, renewables, nuclear and electricity. He suggested creating a Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy Cooperation (JSCNEC). Maqubela also stated that a cooperative agreement between the two countries would be viewed favorably in awarding contracts to U.S. companies as South Africa engages in a major capital expenditure program to increase its power supply. ¶6. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests a point of contact at DOE to respond to DME's request for use of the U.S. energy model and a Washington visit. BOST