Cape Town - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has carried out a review of the long-term operational safety of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station after Eskom said it intended to extend the plant’s lifespan by another 20 years.
The IAEA team of 10 experts recently completed the review and provided a draft report to the plant management which they, with the South African National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), were expected to comment on within three months.
The review, requested by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), recommended Eskom comprehensively review and implement all plant programmes relevant for long term operation (LTO), complete the revalidation of qualification of cables in the containment for the long term operation period, and ensure full functionality of the containment structure monitoring system.
IAEA senior nuclear safety officer Gabor Petofi said: “Despite challenges, the plant has eliminated several deviations from IAEA Safety Standards in ageing management activities and preparation for safe LTO.”
Petofi encouraged Eskom and the plant management to address further findings made by this latest mission and to implement all remaining activities for safe LTO.
“The LTO of Koeberg NPP up to 2045 is a vital part of Eskom's energy planning strategy. The results of this mission will help us finalise our activities for safe LTO in alignment with IAEA Safety Standards,” Eskom chief nuclear officer Riedewaan Bakardien said.
Koeberg Alert Alliance spokesperson, Peter Becker said it was important to question whether Eskom would have the funds, time and skills to implement the recommendations the IAEA made.
“With the details of the IAEA recommendations being kept from the public, it is difficult to know how much of a challenge this will be for Eskom,” he said.
Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute executive director Francesca de Gasparis said: “Eskom appears to attempt to assuage public concerns by sharing only the positive messages from the IAEA’s recent visit to Koeberg. Yet none of the details of their findings on what needs to be addressed was shared.”
She said this statement of the IAEA’s peer review did nothing to ease their concerns around the 20-year life expansion of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station which was related to cost, safety and governance.
kristin.engel@inl.co.za