Name of the Project
Koeberg nuclear power plant steam-generator replacement (SGR) project.

Location
Western Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Eskom.

Project Description
The current steam generators in Unit 1 and Unit 2 at the Koeberg nuclear power station have been in operation since 1984 and 1985 respectively. The aim of the project is to extend the design life of the nuclear power station by 20 years to 2045.

The project involves the replacement of all six steam generators for units 1 and 2.

The SGR project involves the design, manufacture and installation of three steam generators in each of the Koeberg power plant's two operating units, as well as safety analyses and studies to comprehensively demonstrate the plant's design integrity, with no adverse impact on public and worker safety and health or the environment, including the enhancement of nuclear safety.

The new generators will incorporate modern design features for easy maintenance and inspections and improve heat-transfer efficiency, leading to an overall efficiency improvement of Koeberg.

The installation of the generators will be conducted during the scheduled refuelling, inspections and maintenance outages of the two units at Koeberg power station. Eskom is on track and progressing according to plan for installation during the next unit 1 and 2 outages.

The other major components of the life-extension plan include:

• a refuelling water storage tank replacement project, completed in 2019.
• the Unit 2 reactor pressure vessel head replacement.
• the replacement of feed-train components on the conventional power plant, which is conducted during maintenance outages.
• the ongoing Koeberg safety aspects of long-term operation assessment. The assessment is designed to provide the equipment-ageing management confirmation to enable the Koeberg plant to operate beyond its original life span of 40 years to at least 60 years.

Capital Expenditure
The cost of the project is estimated at R25-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Eskom has confirmed that it is likely to apply for a licence to operate Koeberg beyond the 20-year envelope that it has secured for Unit 1 and is optimistic of also securing a licence for Unit 2.

In a response to a question on September 4 about the long-term future of the power station , chief nuclear officer Keith Featherstone told the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy that it would make sense to seek a further extension for the two licences if the assets remained in a condition to continue operating for longer.

On July 21, the National Nuclear Regulator granted Eskom a Long Term Operation (LTO) licence for Unit 1 until July 21, 2044, but deferred its decision on Unit 2, which would be made before the unit’s current licence expired in November 2025.

Featherstone said the cost of the upgrades undertaken to secure the LTO licences had increased from an initial budget of R20-billion to R25-billion, but did not provide a breakdown of these costs nor a detailed update on outstanding contractor claims.

Koeberg Unit 2 is currently out for the extended maintenance required to secure its LTO licence and its return to service has been delayed by two months to December, owing to welding problems that have arisen during the outage.

Featherstone told lawmakers that, within the coming ten years, Eskom would start assessing the prospect of a further life extension.

“It’s a national asset, if we can operate it for longer, we need to,” he said, arguing that, with all the replacements made to Unit 1, the unit was almost “brand new”, he argued.

Key Contracts, Suppliers, and Consultants
Framatome (main SGR contractor); General Electric (modifications to the balance of plant or secondary turbine system); and Jacobs Engineering (balance of plant hardware changes).

Contact Details for Project Information
Eskom media desk, email mediadesk@eskom.co.za.