I am in Port Elizabeth, presenting a nuclear quality assurance course. It is a course based on the ASME Code III, which is the nuclear fabrication code.

The ASME is an international organisation, based in New York, in the US. Its stamp of approval is accepted worldwide, so it is a very useful code of practice to use as a benchmark standard.

From the lecture room in Port Elizabeth, I have watched the sea and, for the first time in my life, I have seen whales. They have been jumping clean out of the water and then falling back with mighty splashes. It is quite amazing that something so large can generate the underwater speed required to actually leave the water entirely. I have been pondering the hydrodynamics and energies involved.

Not too far from where I have been lecturing is the one site that has been identified as a possible site for the first new nuclear power plant. The site is called Thyspunt, and a general feeling is that it is likely to be the first site chosen, but no decision has been announced.

I have been speaking to people from the area and there is some level of understanding of the magnitude of the impact that the construction of a nuclear power plant will have on a large section of the area. But most people do not realise that.

The Eastern Cape needs the electricity, so it would be a good decision to build the plant here. Such a decision would also present the region with massive opportunity to cash in on the construction and fabrication opportunities which will flow from such a large nuclear plant.

Most people do not comprehend this. I do not really blame them. The course that Nuclear Africa presents in conjunction with EON Consulting is partly about what nuclear power is, what government’s plans entail and the opportunity the world market for nuclear presents.

Years ago, it was recognised that, to get local companies excited about becoming involved in nuclear fabrication and construction, they have to be presented with a much larger market opportunity than only the local nuclear power stations. So, the world market has to be seen as the market to aim for. This is about 500 reactors, either operational or under construction. The operational ones need maintenance and spare parts. When we talk of ‘construction’, we mean things like the civil works and the project management and building of the plant. By ‘fabrication’ we mean making valves and pumps, and so on. Operational plants need valves and suchlike for upgrades and maintenance, so there is already a large and continuous demand for fabricated parts.

However, a big factor is that such parts have to be built to a standard such as ASME III. That is why Nuclear Africa offers the ASME III course. This is the gateway into this lucrative business.

There are hundreds of South African companies that are perfectly capable of getting into the nuclear business but most do not realise this. In addition, many are scared. They see nuclear as something to fear in that they feel that it is beyond their capability. It is not.

Nuclear fabrication is perfectly achievable as long as the company approaches the task with pride and diligence. It is a game of no mistakes. One would like to imagine a heart surgeon who always gets it right. In contrast, imagine a heart surgeon who has ‘off days’ and then does a few slashes in the wrong places at the wrong time. Oops . . . a piece of aorta fell on the floor! Can someone find it while I finish my chicken sarmie?
That approach would not go down well at the heart hospital. It does not work in nuclear fabrication either.

A great thing about going for nuclear fabrication is that it qualifies the company for everything else as well. Once a company is certified for nuclear fabrication, it is automatically certified for oil and gas, aerospace and anything else. So, going for ASME is a really worthwhile objective.
The Eastern Cape could really benefit tremendously by going full out to get into the nuclear business early on. That means now. The world market exists now. There is no need to wait for the construction of the South African reactors to start.

In fact, if you wait too long, the boat could have sailed. As I watch the ships moving up and down the coast here, that image really presents itself.
Get your ticket and get on the boat now.