Name of the Project
Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) 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, with the installation thereof scheduled for 2022.

- 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
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has expressed deep concern that another delay to the return to service of Koeberg Unit 1 could result in both of the nuclear power station's units being out of service simultaneously later this year.

Speaking during his weekly update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan on July 17, following a recent period of intense Stage 6 load shedding, the Minister revealed that he was growing increasingly concerned that there could be an outage "overlap," which would result in a period where there would be no production from Koeberg.

"That would represent a net loss of 920 MW from where we are currently [with Unit 1 being out of service]. That's a huge dent in our generating capacity."

The Unit 1 outage began on December 10 and was initially scheduled to continue for about 180 days and return to service in June.

However, in March, Eskom confirmed that the early June return-to-service date was "no longer achievable," but that it would be reintroduced before Unit 2 was shut in September for a similar outage. This, after a previous attempt to replace the Unit 2 steam generators was postponed when it emerged that Eskom's storage facilities had not been completed in time.

It is understood that Unit 1 may now only be returned in October, although this has not been confirmed.

Meanwhile, Eskom has confirmed that all three Unit 1 steam generators have been successfully replaced, and welding in these generators had commenced.

Further, no answers have been provided regarding the effect of the outage slips on Eskom's efforts to secure a Long-Term Operation (LTO) licence. Unit 1's 40-year licence expires on July 21, 2024, and it is currently uncertain whether Eskom has received confirmation of a separate licence validity date for Unit 2, to reflect that the unit came into operation a year-and-a-half after Unit 1 in November 1985.

Securing the licence change request for Unit 2 has been identified as a key priority and risk for the operation of Koeberg for a further 20 years.

The Minister has not commented on the cost of the project to extend the life of Koeberg. It has been confirmed that the actual cost of the project will be far higher.

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.