Koeberg power station. Photo: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers
Power utility Eskom has announced its Koeberg power station has received a 20-year extension of its operation license by the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR).
Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena said the power station’s unit 1 provides 930MW to the electricity grid.
The power utility has operated Koeberg power station safely for 40 years and has invested in safety improvements and extensive maintenance to ensure that it continues to operate safely into the future.
Eskom’s Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo welcomed the extension.
“Together with our business partners, we are proud of the achievement that ensures that Africa's first and only nuclear power plant can now continue to operate safely into the future,” Nxumalo said.
Eskom’s Chief Nuclear Officer, Keith Featherstone said the granting of the license is a testament to the hard work and continued commitment of its teams to nuclear safety and the power utility’s generation recovery plan.
“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,” Featherstone said.
In the next steps, the Koeberg operating license will be changed to reflect an end date of July 21, 2044 for Unit 1.
The power utility will continue to operate the unit until January 2025, when the unit will be shut down for its next scheduled refuelling and maintenance outage.
The current license for Koeberg Unit 2 only expires on November 9, 2025, and Koeberg 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 of Unit 2 will only be made at a later date, but before November 9, 2025.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL