Eskom has announced that the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has granted an operating license extension for one of Koeberg’s generation units for the next 20 years. Koeberg Unit 1, which contributes 930MW to South Africa’s power grid, will remain operational until 21 July 2044. Due to this extension, Eskom plans to continue using the unit until January 2025, when it will be refuelled and undergo a maintenance outage.
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“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,” said Eskom chief nuclear officer Keith Featherstone.
Koeberg Unit 2’s operating license is set to expire on 9 November 2025. However, Unit 2 is currently out of operation due to the implementation of prerequisites for Long Term Operation, according to Eskom. The company noted that Unit 2 would soon return to service, and the NNR will announce its decision regarding the unit’s long-term operation at a later stage.
With the extension, Koeberg will join 120 reactors worldwide that will continue generating power beyond their initial 40-year life span. “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,” said Eskom Group Executive for Generation, Bheki Nxumalo.
Koeberg has faced significant delays due to costly errors by Eskom and French contractor Framatome. Unit 2 was switched off on 18 January 2022 and was expected to be back online by June 2022. Subsequently, Unit 1 was scheduled to undergo a similar process starting in October 2022. However, Unit 1 eventually went offline on 10 December 2022 for steam generator replacement and was initially scheduled to return in July 2023. This return was postponed to September 2023 and then further delayed to November 2023.
These delays resulted in Eskom receiving a R950 million fine. The penalty was awarded to the French nuclear reactor company Framatome, which was contracted to manufacture and replace the six steam generators at the Koeberg nuclear power station.
