Name of the Project
Koeberg nuclear power plant (NPP) 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 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 (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
Eskom has highlighted the success of the upgrade of Unit 2 of the Koeberg NPP. On March 9, Unit 2 had accumulated 365 days of uninterrupted operation, with an average energy availability factor of 99.4%. In practice, this meant that Unit 2 reliably delivered some 946 MW of electricity to the national grid.

Unit 2’s previous record for continuous operation was 454 days. This was set on January 18, 2022. The current run would not reach that marker because the reactor is programmed to be taken offline on April 26 for scheduled maintenance. By that point, it should have reached 412 days of continuous operation.

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.