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 plant (NPP) have been in operation since 1984 and 1985 respectively. The aim of the project is to extend the design life of the NPP 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
The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has invited public comment on environmental, health and safety issues regarding the request by Eskom to alter its licence for the transient interim storage facility (TISF) at the Koeberg NPP. 

The TISF currently operates under NNR licence NIL-44 and 29 associated conditions. (NIL stands for Nuclear Installation Licence.) The TISF serves to store spent fuel from Koeberg’s two reactors throughout the life of the NPP. Eskom now wants to add a spent fuel cask storage area to the existing TISF.

Eskom informed the NNR that it had published the notice and the supporting documents, as required by the regulator, on December 6. Members of the public and interested stakeholders have 60 days from December 6 to submit written comments to the NNR regarding the environmental, health and safety aspects of Eskom’s TISF application.

The information on how to make public comments regarding the application can be found on the NNR and Eskom websites. 

Comments should be addressed to the NNR Programme Manager: Nuclear Power Plants. Comments can be submitted by email, conventional post or hand delivery to either the NNR Site Office, in Duynefontein, Cape Town, or the NNR Head Office, in Centurion, Tshwane.

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.