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Peter Becker of the Koeberg Alert Alliance has accused Eskom of lying about the risks and safety around its Koeberg nuclear power plant in Cape Town.
Speaking to ENCA, Becker said Eskom’s claim that there are no risks associated with the Koeberg power plant is patently false.
Recent earthquakes around Cape Town raised concerns about whether Koeberg can withstand larger earthquakes.
Koeberg was designed to withstand earthquakes up to 7.5 on the Richter scale thanks to the gigantic built-in shock absorbers made of neoprene.
The design was adequate when construction of the power plant began in 1976, but the recently discovered Table Bay fault, which is closer to Koeberg, has raised concerns about its safety.
The Geosciences Council confirmed the discovery, but assured the public that there was no evidence to suggest that the new fault is active or poses a seismic threat.
Becker, however, said that this new discovery cannot be ignored and raised concerns about Koeberg’s structural integrity.
He said nuclear plants are unique because radiation alters the atomic composition of materials near the reactor, leading to an effect called embrittlement that compromises the mechanical strength of the structure.
He added that the condition of the neoprene shock absorbers is unknown considering they are so close to the sea.
Becker also noted that Eskom has conducted and submitted a seismic hazard study to the national nuclear regulator, which analyzed what the risks are at Koeberg.
However, this study is being kept under wraps, raising questions about whether Eskom is withholding important information about Koeberg’s safety from the public.
What particularly concerns Becker is the plan to extend Koeberg’s 40-year lifespan by another 20 years.
Koeberg has already completed 36 of its 40-year original design life, but Eskom plans to extend this for another 20 years with replacement generators.
The first three generators will be installed in Unit 1 between February 2021 and June 2021, while the next three will be added in Unit 2 between January 2022 and May 2022.
Becker said the benefits and risks of keeping Koeberg running should be carefully weighed before deciding to extend its design life.
Comment by Eskom
MyBroadband asked Eskom for comment, but the company did not respond at time of publication.
Koeberg Alert Alliance interview with Peter Becker
Read Now: Koeberg’s Safety Issues After the Cape Town Earthquakes
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