Recent radiological contamination incidents at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station have renewed concerns about the safety and long-term operation of South Africa’s only nuclear power plant.
The incidents occurred during maintenance work on Unit 2 between 30 June and 7 July, shortly after the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) approved a 20-year extension of the unit’s operating life. Environmental advocacy group, the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), has questioned whether the approval adequately considered the plant’s ageing infrastructure and maintenance delays.
Speaking to VOC News, SAFCEI Executive Director Francesca de Gasparis said the incidents highlight the risks associated with overdue maintenance.
“We know Unit 2 has been offline for the necessary maintenance and upgrades that it needs. But some of these are more than 10 years overdue,” she said.
De Gasparis explained that delayed maintenance limits the ability to monitor conditions inside the reactor’s containment building, increasing the likelihood of incidents occurring during repair work.
She stressed that workers carrying out maintenance are required to enter high-risk areas to complete essential upgrades, but said the recent contamination events remain a cause for concern.
“These radiation leaks are not something that we want to be happening,” she said. “This is an accident. Small accidents, but they are indeed things that shouldn’t be happening.”
SAFCEI has also questioned the regulator’s decision to grant Unit 2 a 20-year licence extension after initially approving only an eight-year extension. De Gasparis compared the decision to “giving your car a clean MOT before you’ve had the repairs done on it.”
The National Nuclear Regulator and Eskom have maintained that the contamination was contained within the plant and posed no risk to surrounding communities. Investigations into the incidents remain ongoing.
Listen to the full interview:
VOC News
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