20 More years for Koeberg Unit 1 hailed

Eskom has been given the green light to extend the lifespan of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 by another 20 years, allowing it to now officially operate until July 21, 2044.

The National Nuclear Regulator’s (NNR) announcement on Monday follows Eskom’s application on May 10, 2021, to operate the nuclear power station beyond the current licence term of July 21, 2024, for an additional 20 years.

The NNR highlighted that it had held a series of public consultations where members of the public were provided opportunities to express their concerns in writing and make oral presentations to the NNR on health, safety and environmental issues connected with the Long Term Operation (LTO) application.

“With regards to the representations received during the public consultations, we found that the substantive concerns raised on health, safety and the environment were adequately addressed by the licence conditions and/or the safety case. With regards to the technical review conducted, the (NRR) assessment concluded that the LTO application is compliant with regulations concerning safety-related programmes, effectiveness of the ageing management programmes, utilisation of the periodic safety review, and programme for LTO,” NNR CEO Ditebogo Kgomo said.

“With respect to the revalidation of time-limiting ageing analysis, the NNR review found that the application is compliant for Unit 1. The review of some aspects of the revalidation of time-limiting ageing analyses on Unit 2 is still ongoing.”

Eskom welcomed the news, saying Koeberg Unit 1 would join approximately 120 reactors worldwide that have “safely continued operations beyond their initial 40-year life”.

The power utility added that it had operated the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station safely for 40 years.

“Over the years, Koeberg has identified and implemented safety improvements through both French and US nuclear experiences, which have reduced the risk to levels that would normally only be achieved by new, modern nuclear power plants,” Eskom chief nuclear officer Keith Featherstone said.

Eskom said it would now continue to operate Unit 1 until January 2025, when the unit will be shut down for its next scheduled refuelling and maintenance outage.

“The current licence for Koeberg Unit 2 only expires on 9 November 2025, and the Koeberg Power Station is implementing some of the prerequisites for Long Term Operation in the current outage. Once the current outage is complete, Unit 2 will be returned to service, and the NNR has stated that the decision regarding the Long Term Operation for Unit 2 will only be made at a later date,” Eskom said.

Energy analyst Hugo Kruger said nuclear plants did not really have an end of life and could be extended even longer.

“It can be extended for another 20 years. Afterwards, a licence approval can be granted for another 20 years.

Koeberg, however, will have to undergo repairs in the future again if we plan to extend it again. In terms of nuclear to South Africa, it's 40% of the Western Cape’s electricity, nationally it’s 5% of South Africa’s electricity mix. Nuclear is a decarbonised source so it makes sense to keep it as we replace the coal fleet.

Nuclear additionally provides system inertia (ability to maintain a steady frequency). So there are benefits to keeping it,” he said.

Former Eskom acting chief executive Matshela Koko hailed the decision as “excellent”.

“Well done. Where are the haters who objected to the Koeberg life extension when we started in 2014?”

Former NNR director representing affected communities, and member of the Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA), Peter Becker said he had several safety concerns in light of the decision.

“I think there are matters not being taken well into account for example the emergency drill that had been found to be non-compliant with licence requirements. The NNR has refused to release the report about the drill and what had been done to address the non-compliances.

Eskom refused to release details about the rubber pads used to protect against earthquakes. (Another) major concern is the standards being applied to a French reactor of the same design.”

Cape Times