An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has completed a review of the long-term operational safety of South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear power plant (NPP). Koeberg, the continent’s only operating NPP, provides around 5% of the country's electricity and consists of two units, with Unit 1 licensed to operate until 2044.

There are plans to extend Unit 2 operation until 2045. Eskom, the state-owned power utility, applied in 2021 to extend the plant's lifespan by 20 years beyond its initial 40-year design. Koeberg, has a combined generation capacity of 1,860 MWe (net).

The IAEA conducted a Safety Aspects of Long-Term Operation (SALTO) mission on September 3-6, 2024, to assess critical safety factors for the extended operation of the plant, World Nuclear News (WNN) reported on September 13.

The mission followed earlier reviews in 2019 and 2022, with experts from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and the IAEA evaluating how the plant addressed previous safety recommendations. The SALTO review ensures safe long-term operation (LTO), complementing other IAEA safety reviews.

“The team observed that the plant is addressing the SALTO team’s suggestions and recommendations from the 2022 review,” Bryce Lehman, team leader and IAEA nuclear safety officer said. “Based on its efforts, the plant has made significant improvements in ageing management and resolved most of the issues identified in 2022. The plant is on track to complete the remaining items in a reasonable timeframe.”

According to the team’s report, the NPP management has updated the LTO programme to ensure that all activities are planned, timely, and in line with safety and operational standards.

The plant also completed the revalidation of environmental qualification for nuclear facility cables, confirming they can safely perform under environmental stresses over time. Additionally, it revalidated the Time Limited Ageing Analysis (TLAAs) for concrete structures, including the containment system.

However, the IAEA team recommended continued efforts to fully implement LTO-related programmes and ensure the containment monitoring system is fully refurbished and functional during the LTO period. A draft report was provided to Koeberg management, the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), with a final report to follow in three months.

“For us, this is an integral part of the IAEA's supporting service to ensure safe operation of the Koeberg reactors during the LTO period for the next 20 years. The IAEA SALTO missions, and technical cooperation, helped to improve our continued focus on safe operation,” said Keith Featherstone, chief nuclear officer at Eskom’s Nuclear Operating Unit.

According to Featherstone, Eskom has worked diligently to demonstrate and ensure the safe operation of the Koeberg plant. Together with the IAEA, the utility carried out four review missions and several technical support discussions.

“We appreciate the IAEA's support and the independent review against international safety standards. We will continue to collaborate in the future as part of our drive to continuously improve,” he added.