Eskom has announced that the programme to extend the operating life of its Koeberg nuclear power station by 20 years will cost R21 billion.
Also read: Koeberg given stamp of approval for another twenty years
This information was revealed by Bheki Nxumalo, Eskom’s group executive for generation, during a media briefing at Koeberg earlier this week.
Nxumalo emphasised that the investment would ensure continued power supply for South Africa. Koeberg, which marked its 40th anniversary on 21 July, contributes 5% of Eskom’s total power generation, with each of its two units generating 920MW.
Last week, Eskom received a licence from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to continue operating Unit 1 for an additional 20 years after meeting several requirements. The licence for Unit 2, valid until 9 November 2025, is still under review, with a decision expected next year.
Eskom is finalising the steam generator replacement programme at Unit 2, with Nxumalo stating that the unit would return to service by the end of October. The utility plans to apply lessons learned from the delays experienced during Unit 1’s steam generator replacement.
Velaphi Ntuli, Koeberg’s general manager, highlighted that nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source, and Eskom is considering issuing carbon credits to raise income. The carbon credit system allows the sale of credits based on one tonne of carbon avoided or removed from the atmosphere.
While Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, minister of electricity and energy, celebrated the licence extension for Unit 1, Keith Featherstone, Chief Nuclear Officer, cautioned that the unit’s operation for the full 20 years is not guaranteed.
According to an IOL report, the licence includes 29 conditions that Eskom must meet to continue operations.
‘The licence does not mean we operate for 20 years. It means we have the ability to operate for 20 years, given we meet all conditions,’ said Featherstone, adding that the regulator could shut the plant down at any time if conditions are not met.
Eskom applied for a 20-year licence rather than a longer period because it is easier to develop shorter-term forecasts and analyses as plants age, according to Featherstone.
This allows Eskom to justify the plant’s continued operation more effectively.
The granted licence supports the government’s plan to maintain nuclear energy as part of the country’s energy mix, including potential new nuclear build programmes.
‘Koeberg is an illustration of the technical capability of South Africans from an engineering point of view,’ said Ramokgopa.
Eskom has also focused on developing local skills to ensure the future operation of Koeberg.
‘We did lose some highly competent colleagues we trained to the UAE [United Arab Emirates],’ noted Ntuli.
Two sites, Duynefontein in the Western Cape and Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape, have been identified for potential future nuclear plants similar to Koeberg.
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Koeberg’s Unit 1 has been synchronised to the grid after a year-long outage
Picture: Shaun Roy / Gallo Images