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

Location
Western Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
State-owned power utility 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, incluading 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 (LTO) 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) announced on October 6 that it had completed the third and final round of public consultations regarding national electricity utility Eskom’s application for authorisation for LTO of the Koeberg NPP. LTO meant extending the operation of nuclear reactors beyond their original design life. Koeberg had two reactors, known as Unit 1 and Unit 2.

“The perspectives and concerns of stakeholders are an important part of our overall assessment, ensuring that the decision we take is informed, transparent, and in the best interests of nuclear safety and radiation protection,” NNR Board Chairperson Protas Phili has said.
This final set of public hearings was spread across five locations in two provinces. In the Northern Cape, the consultations were held at Garies (on September 29) and Concordia (September 30). In the Western Cape, they were held in three suburbs of Metro Cape Town – Athlone (on October 2), Table View (October 3) and Atlantis (October 4).

Members of the public, community representatives, civil society organisations and other stakeholders were provided with an opportunity to present their views, raise concerns and make submissions about Eskom’s Koeberg LTO application. 

“The NNR will now . . . consider all inputs received from the written comments and oral presentations, together with the outcomes of its comprehensive internal technical review and reach its final regulatory decision on the application. The regulatory decision on the Koeberg Unit 2 LTO application will be announced upon conclusion of the NNR’s internal processes,” the NNR has said.

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.