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; and
• 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
The Koeberg NPP has entered a critical phase of its project and needs it to run according to plan to avoid deepening power cuts and wreaking havoc on the economy, Bloomberg has reported.

The first of the two units at the plant was shut down in December 2022 for refuelling and the replacement of its steam generators, which is expected to be completed in early June 2023, State-owned power utility Eskom has said in an emailed response to questions by Bloomberg.

The overhaul of the second unit is expected to start a few months later.

Koeberg, originally set to operate until 2024, is one of Eskom’s most reliable power stations, making its return to service key to meeting the South Africa’s energy needs.

The work on Koeberg “is one such maintenance event that has to be done on time”, CEO of the Energy Intensive Users Group Fanele Mondi has said, as any delay will have a significant impact on the performance of the power system.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Framatome (main SGR contractor); General Electric (modifications to the balance of plant or secondary turbine system); and Jacobs Engineering (BoP hardware changes).
 
Contact Details for Project Information
Eskom media desk, email mediadesk@eskom.co.za.