Regulator extends Koeberg’s operating licence

The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has approved Eskom’s request for a licence to extend the operating life of Koeberg nuclear power station’s unit one by 20 years. It has decided to defer its decision on unit two to November 2025. Business Day reports that the decision means that at least one of Koeberg’s two 900MW generation units will be available to the SA power grid for 20 more years, as the country transitions away from a coal-dominated energy mix. The operating licence for unit one was due to expire on 24 July and the second unit’s licence will only expire by November 2025. This after the regulator granted Eskom’s request to separate the operating timelines for Koeberg’s unit one and unit two earlier in 2024. Unit two commenced commercial operation about 15 months after unit one was first commissioned in July 1984, thus allowing unit two to run until November 2025 according to the NNR’s earlier decision. Eskom’s chief nuclear officer Keith Featherstone said that Koeberg had over the years identified and implemented safety improvements through French and US nuclear experiences, which had reduced the risk to levels that would normally be achieved only by new, modern nuclear power plants.

Full Business Day report

A report in Die Burger notes that environmental activists are already mulling a court review of the decision. The NNR was peppered with questions about the lawfulness of the decision in the absence of a board member representing communities. Peter Becker, an activist and former board member, was axed by Mineral & Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe. The SCA has since held that Becker’s dismissal was unlawful and mala fide. The NNR representatives said it is not up to the NNR to appoint a replacement for Becker as it is a ministerial function.

Full report in Die Burger (subscription needed)