Name of the Project
Koeberg nuclear power station steam-generator replacement project.

Location
Western Cape, South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Eskom.

Project Description
The current steam generators in Unit 1 and Unit 2 at the Koeberg nuclear power station have been in operation since 1983/4 and 1984/5 respectively. The aim of the project is to extend the design life of the nuclear power station by 20 years to 2045.

The project involves the replacement of all six steam generators at units 1 and 2.

This will involve the design, manufacture and installation of three steam generators in each of the two operating units, as well as the safety analyses and studies required for the replacement of the six steam generators.

The new generators will incorporate modern design features for easy maintenance and inspections, and improve heat-transfer efficiency, leading to the overall efficiency of the power station.

The installation of the generators will be conducted during the scheduled refuelling, inspections and maintenance outages of the two units at the power station.

The other major components of the life-extension plan include:

a refuelling water storage tank replacement project, which was completed in 2019;

the Unit 2 reactor pressure vessel head replacement, for which manufacturing is scheduled for completion in 2021 and the installation thereof for 2022;

the replacement of feed-train components on the conventional power plant, which is conducted during maintenance outages; and

the ongoing Koeberg safety aspects of long-term operation assessment. The assessment is designed to provide the equipment-ageing management “argument” to enable the Koeberg plant to operate beyond the original 40 years life span to at least 60 years.

This safety case will be presented to the National Nuclear Regulator in mid-2022 to allow for approval of the Koeberg plant to enter into long-term operation from mid-2024.

Capital Expenditure
R20-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
The first three steam generators are scheduled to be installed at Unit 1 between February 2021 and June 2021.

The replacement of steam generators at Unit 2, which is undergoing a refuelling outage until mid-October, has been planned to coincide with the unit’s next maintenance and refuelling outage from January 2022 to May 2022.

Latest Developments
Eskom has decided that the first three new steam generators delivered in September 2020 for installation at Unit 1 during a planned outage between February and June will instead be installed at Unit 2 during its next refuelling and routine maintenance outage, scheduled from January to May 2022.

The replacement of the six steam generators at units 1 and 2 has already been delayed from the original completion date of late 2019, owing to serious manufacturing problems as reported by energy expert Chris Yelland in 2020.

Framatome, of France, is the main contractor, but the steam generators were manufactured primarily in China, with additional components sourced in various countries in Asia and Europe, as well as in the US.

Eskom has reported that installation will be conducted through a consortium of Framatome and a local company.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Framatome (main contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Eskom media desk, email mediadesk@eskom.co.za.