Cape Town – WorleyParsons “strongly objects to any speculation” that it is affiliated with Russian nuclear firm Rosatom, saying there is no conflict of interest in performing its services to the Department of Energy (DoE).
This follows a picket by environmentalist outside the offices of WorleyParsons in Johannesburg on Thursday, as a result of its alleged links to Rosatom while providing advice to the DoE on the 9.6 GW nuclear programme.
Announcing the picket, Earthlife Africa (ELA) Johannesburg called on the DoE to “rescind its decision to contract WorleyParsons because it is a conflicted party by its relationship with Rosatom”.
In addition, it wants the DoE to “make public the scope of WorleyParsons’ appointment and at what cost to the South African taxpayer”.
READ: Govt urged to dump Rosatom-linked advisory firm
However, WorleyParsons refuted any relationship with Rosatom.
“WorleyParsons confirms that it is not in any way affiliated with Rosatom or any of the technology vendors, and always acts in support of and is committed to its client’s interests and objectives,” it said in a statement on Friday.
“WorleyParsons has never been and is not in any conflict of interest in performing its services on the various nuclear projects around the world and strongly objects to any speculation in that regard.”
It said it has advised the South African public sector on a number of energy matters including nuclear projects for nearly 40 years.
Employing over 1 000 people in South Africa, WorleyParsons said its eschews all forms of improper business practice.
It “strongly opposes any actions, statements and allegations that challenge WorleyParsons’ high standards of integrity and business ethics in all its project works, business dealings, and relationships with clients and partners”.
“The company has advised these owners on their dealings with a range of technology vendors,” it said.
WorleyParsons said it is one of the leading consultants in the nuclear field.
“We are actively involved in many nuclear programmes around the world,” it said. “WorleyParsons has worked on, and continues to work on nuclear development and construction projects in various countries.
“This has allowed WorleyParsons to develop unique and unrivaled expertise and experience for the benefit of its clients.
“Specifically WorleyParsons has expanded its nuclear advisory practice as more countries consider nuclear power generation as an option to meet their energy demands,” it said.