Koeberg Unit 2 gets controversial 20-year licence extension

Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) activists have described the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR)’s approval of a 20-year licence extension for Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 2 as a failure of regulatory oversight.

SAFCEI said the approval came despite alleged serious safety and governance concerns in Eskom’s application. 

On Thursday, Eskom announced the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) approval enables Unit 2’s continued operation until November 9, 2045. 

This follows Eskom’s successful application which included safety assessments, technical reviews, and infrastructure upgrades as part of the station’s Long-Term Operation (LTO) programme.

“Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Unit 2, currently contributing 946MW to the national grid, has demonstrated exceptional reliability by operating at 100% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) for 241 consecutive days this year. This consistent performance underscores the station’s critical role in supporting South Africa’s electricity supply. The licence extension follows the successful completion of an extensive refurbishment and life-extension programme, which included the replacement of three steam generators, thorough safety inspections, and refuelling activities to ensure the unit’s continued safe and efficient operation,” Eskom said.

With this approval, Unit 2 joins Unit 1, which received its long-term operating licence on July 15, 2024, extending its operational life until July 21, 2044. Together, both units are now part of a global cohort of more than 120 nuclear reactors that have safely extended their service beyond the original 40-year design life.

“The granting of the 20-year life extension to Koeberg Unit 2, following on from last year’s similar extension for Unit 1, is a result of the hard work, focus and dedication of our highly skilled and competent employees at Koeberg, supported by colleagues across the company and throughout the nuclear value chain in this country,” said Velaphi Ntuli, Eskom Chief Nuclear Officer.

“The rigorous safety assessments and regulatory requirements Eskom had to meet to achieve the long-term operation demonstrate the depth and pipeline of nuclear engineering talent available in South Africa that delivers high-quality jobs,” Ntuli added.

Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI) Executive Director, Francesca de Gasparis, said the decision exposed a deep failure of regulatory oversight.

SAFCEI said it is reviewing the NNR’s decision and considering an appeal under the NNR Act.

“Koeberg was behind on so many critical safety requirements – from incomplete containment structure tests and monitoring data, to the absence of an updated emergency plan for Cape Town. The NNR has effectively approved the continued operation of South Africa’s most hazardous energy facility without proof that it is safe for the period of long-term operation, a further 20 years, as is required by law. This is not oversight – it is regulatory failure,” de Gasparis said.

In the weeks leading up to the NNR’s ruling, SAFCEI said it submitted detailed evidence showing that critical aspects of Eskom’s safety case for Unit 2 were based on assumptions rather than facts. 

“By its own admission, Eskom does not have all required up-to-date or verifiable data on Unit 2’s condition. It has used data from Unit 1 – a completely separate reactor – to fill the gaps. This is not science; it is speculation. To make a 20-year decision on that basis is perilous,” SAFCEI said. 

Cape Times