NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 1164
Dr G W Koornhof (ANC) to ask the Minister of Energy:
With reference to nuclear leakages at nuclear reactors in Japan (details
furnished) after it was hit by an earthquake and tsunami, how will any
future natural or man-made disaster affect the implementation of the second
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2010) (a) regarding (i) the energy mix for the
next two decades, including and (ii) the use of nuclear energy and (b)(i)
all safety aspects related to future nuclear plants and (ii) the safety
aspects regarding the Koeberg nuclear plant?    NW1287E
REPLY
a) (i) The underlying basis for the energy mix as proposed in the IRP2010
has not changed due to the unfortunate accident at the Fukushima
Nuclear Power Plants. The energy mix is balanced considering different
factors such as the need to reduce our carbon foot print and provision
of reliable and affordable electricity services to run the economy.
(ii) Nuclear energy provides the most reliable base-load power after
coal. South Africa is yet to reach universal access to electricity
services. In order to achieve this milestone and to provide the
necessary power to support economic development, we will need to build
more base-load power stations.
b) (i) All Safety Aspects Related to Future Nuclear Power Plant.
The design of reactors is the cornerstone of nuclear safety, with
consistent application of the defense-in depth principles, and the
nuclear industry is one of the most regulated as far as safety is
concerned. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through its
conventions such as Convention on Nuclear Safety, Joint Convention, and
Convention on Early Notification and Assistance Convention ensure
nuclear safety, safety of spent fuel management and radioactive waste
management worldwide and make provision for assistance in the case of a
nuclear accident. South Africa is a member of the IAEA and a
contracting party to these conventions. Safety features of reactors
have continued to evolve towards designs basis which have more inherent
safety features. The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is entrusted with
the protection of persons, property and the environment from effects of
nuclear damage. The NNR, as the nuclear safety authority responsible
for the siting, design, construction, operation, manufacture of
component parts and decontamination, decommissioning and closure of
nuclear installations will therefore license future nuclear power
plants.
(ii) Safety Aspect Regarding Koeberg NPP
Koeberg, as originally designed and subsequently modified by Eskom, is
in line with modern international safety standards.
Following the accident at Fukushima, Eskom performed the necessary
tests to verify the capability of all equipment required to respond to
severe and beyond design basis accidents.
⢠Koeberg is designed to withstand an earthquake of level 7 on
Richter Scale
⢠The Koeberg terrace height is 8 metre above mean sea level,
⢠Koeberg is supplied from four 400 kV lines and one 132 kV line
connected to the national grid.
⢠If there is a problem with this supply from the national grid, a
dedicated power station is available
⢠Additional backup generators are on site
⢠Equipped with external piping connections to the spent fuel pools
and containment buildings to facilitate the addition of cooling
water should it be required.
⢠Plant hydrogen recombiner modified to prevent a hydrogen explosion
⢠Emergency plan is in place. It has been tested and found to be
adequate