Koeberg Nuclear Power Station shutdowns spark concerns over transparency

Concerns are mounting over the safety of Unit 2 at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, after it was shut down over an apparent steam leak on the reheat system. The Unit was eventually brought back to service, but its reliability has been questioned with nuclear experts and the Koeberg Alert Alliance calling on Eskom to be more transparent  about what is really going on at the nuclear reactor.

Eskom announced rotational power cuts a week ago after a reported loss of 2,700MW of capacity over 14 hours. 

This included Koeberg Unit 2, which had been brought back online last Wednesday but was taken offline again, as well as two Kusile units, where coal operations were affected by heavy rainfall in the area. 

While the units at Kusile were restored, Eskom said work at Koeberg still continued.

The power utility reassured the public that Koeberg Unit 2 remains safe.

However Eskom's “unclear explanations” of the shutdowns has raised the alarm for former Director of the National Nuclear Regulator, Peter Becker.

Becker referred to Eskom’s reasoning of an "unplanned, non-technical trip"combined with reports of “two other issues” during one of the recent outages as a formula for secrecy. 

“I would hope that the Minister will deliver on his promise, and instruct Eskom to end the secrecy around Koeberg, to answer questions about expenditure and what the actual problems are, and so to allow an informed analysis on whether it is worth continuing to pour billions of rand into the Koeberg plant.

"Be open about what's happening, because to me a non-technical implies human error. 

“And it is scary to think errors are still being made at a nuclear plant. We know that Koeberg has lost hundreds of technical staff to overseas job offers, and the memory of a site-wide work stoppage due to another human error - cutting through the wrong pipe - is still fresh in our memory."

Becker also commented on the intended plan to extend Koeberg Unit 2’s operational lifespan, with a request submitted to the NNR to operate for another 20 years beyond its current licence expiry in November 2025.

Becker believes that Koeberg’s ongoing reliability issues, alongside the plant's increasing age, make it difficult to justify the billions of rands spent on refurbishing it. He calls for full disclosure of the refurbishment costs, pointing out that Eskom has misled the public about the true figures, sticking to a 2010 estimate of R20 billion that is now outdated.

“Despite Eskom's claim, we know that Koeberg is not essential for 'balancing the grid'. 

“We saw both units offline recently, with Koeberg drawing 40MW from the grid to keep it operating, and despite that the grid did not collapse, and at first at least after the 2 March 'trip', there was no loadshedding.”

He said to determine whether expanding the lifespan of Koeberg’s Unit 2 is worthwhile, there needs to be a cost-benefit analysis. 

“But since Eskom is being secretive and even deceptive about the cost of the work being done at Koeberg, doing such an analysis is impossible to do.”

The Koeberg Alert Alliance said that there is no introspection and "no statement from Eskom as to whether there will be an inquiry into why there was a failure months after this Koeberg nuclear unit was offline for a major refurbishment which was supposed to extend its life for more than 20 years."

Professor Vally Padayachee, a power and energy expert, offers a more measured and optimistic view regarding Koeberg’s future. 

He expressed his strong support for extending Koeberg Unit 2’s operational life, provided that it adheres strictly to safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

“It is crucial to acknowledge that extending the operational life of existing nuclear facilities, such as Koeberg, is vital for reaching our Net Zero sustainable or climate change related targets by 2050. 

“Nuclear energy (the second most “green dispatchable energy” to hydro) available plays an indispensable role in providing a stable and low-carbon energy supply, which is essential as we transition toward more sustainable energy sources and strive to achieve the energy trilemma of security, sustainability, and affordability.”

Padayachee also supports the development of new nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors (SMRs), which he believes are financially viable and environmentally responsible. 

He concurs with Becker that Eskom needs to be transparent about the challenges Koeberg faces, including the leakage issues, and he stresses the need for a collaborative approach between Eskom, the government, and other stakeholders to address South Africa’s energy crisis. 

“Concerning the vulnerabilities associated with Koeberg Unit 2, including the reported leakage, it is imperative for Eskom to maintain a reasonable level of transparency and to communicate openly with the public, which in my opinion they generally do. 

“While challenges are a natural part of operating any power plant, it is vital that we address these issues with a commitment to safety and accountability. 

“The public deserves clear and accurate information regarding the status of our energy infrastructure, particularly in light of the recent power cuts, load shedding, and load reduction that have impacted many South Africans,” Padayachee said.

Padayachee cautioned against assigning blame, urging instead a focus on constructive dialogue to find lasting solutions.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

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