Page 11 - AfrElec Week 14 2022

AfrElec NUCLEAR AfrElec

IAEA extends life of SA’s Koeberg

nuclear power plant by 20 years

SOUTH AFRICA THE International Atomic Energy Agency SALTO team and to implement all remaining
(IAEA)’s peer review of the Safety Aspects of the activities for safe LTO,” said Petofi.
Long-Term Operation (SALTO) at the Koeberg The IAEA team also identified Koeberg’s
Nuclear Power Station in South Africa has con- good practices and learning points that will
cluded, extending the life of the power station by be shared with the nuclear industry globally,
20 years, plant operator Eskom said in an April including:
5 press release. Integrated corrective action programme
“We observed that despite many challenges to extensively consider operating experience
the plant has made progress in ageing manage- for long-term operation; template to collect
ment activities and preparation for safe LTO vital importance parameters from the original
since the first Pre-SALTO mission in 2015. The equipment manufacturers (OEM) to establish
SALTO team encourages Eskom and the plant the extended qualified life of electrical compo-
management to address findings made by the nents; the capability index applied to character-
SALTO team and to implement all remaining ize health, attitude; and other enablers of staff
activities for safe LTO,” said team leader, Gabor members to qualify if they are fit to perform a
Petofi, a Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the task.
IAEA. The IAEA was asked to visit Koeberg by the
The ten-person team IAEA team was made Department of Minerals & Energy (DMRE), as
up of nuclear professionals from eight countries part of Eskom’s preparations for the safe exten-
(Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, sion of Koeberg’s operating life.
Hungary, Pakistan, Spain and Sweden) and two The IAEA offers a service to its members
IAEA staff members, was impressed with the specifically for long term operation and looks
attitude and professionalism of Koeberg staff, at the safety aspects of long-term operation
he said. (SALTO), which entails detailed reviews of,
“We observed that staff at the plant is pro- amongst others, ageing management of mechan-
fessional, open, and receptive to suggestions ical, electrical, and civil systems, structures and
for improvement. Despite challenges, the plant components, knowledge management, as well as
has eliminated several deviations in ageing human resources.
management activities and preparation for safe The final report is to be submitted to the plant
LTO since the Pre-SALTO mission in 2019. The management, the NNR and the Government of
SALTO team encourages Eskom and the plant South Africa within three months.™
management to address findings made by the

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