Name and Location
Koeberg dry-cask storage project, Western Cape, South Africa.
Client
Eskom.
Project Description
The 1 800 MW Koeberg nuclear power station has, over the past 32 years, accumulated 2 229 spent-fuel assemblies, which are all currently stored on site in two spent-fuel pools that are expected to be full by 2018. This has put pressure on Eskom to begin considering alternative storage options.
It is pursuing a project to transfer the used nuclear fuel from the spent-fuel pools into dry spent-fuel storage casks, which will be stored in the interim on site at Koeberg. This involves moving a fuel assembly underwater, from the spent-fuel pools into a dry spent-fuel storage cask, following established protocols.
The cask will be transferred from the fuel building to an existing cask storage building. Eskom is also preparing a so-called transient interim storage facility (TISF), which will be built on vacant land within the Koeberg site.
The TISF will comprise a concrete pad covering 12 800 m2, onto which up to 160 dry-storage casks can be stored, and an auxillary building to store associated equipment.
There are also plans for a centralised interim storage facility (CISF), which is proposed to be established by the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute by 2025. Vaalputs, the national nuclear waste disposal facility in the Northern Cape, is considered the most likely location for the CISF, as there is already infrastructure in place for the storage of low- and intermediate-level waste. Any co-location of the CISF at the site will require approval.
Value
Not stated.
Duration
It is envisaged that the used fuel will be moved in phases from 2017 to 2025, with complete fuel assemblies loaded into the casks.
The concept design for the TISF is in progress and will be established by 2019, according to the current schedule.
The CISF is expected to be established by 2025.
Latest Developments
None stated.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Eskom, tel +27 11 800 8111.