Eskom moves forward with Duynefontein nuclear power project amidst environmental concerns

Banele Ginidza

Eskom has announced plans to deploy Large Conventional Nuclear Power Reactor (PWR) units at the Duynefontein Nuclear Plant, a critical step forward following the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment's (DFFE) recent decision to allow this development.

With the anticipated new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) set to be released soon, Eskom stated its intention to maximise the capacity permitted under this new framework, potentially adding an extra 4 000 megawatts (MW) to the site.

This plan follows a tumultuous period surrounding previous nuclear procurement strategies, notably when Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa withdrew a Ministerial determination to procure 2 500MW of new nuclear capacity after widespread public consultation concerns.

The ensuing legal challenges led to the determination's revocation, highlighting the necessity for transparent dialogues around sensitive energy projects.

Eskom on Thursday clarified that any deployment of nuclear power will align with the forthcoming IRP and Section 34 determination to be issued by the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), taking into account significant regulatory changes that have unfolded in recent years.

"The previous Section 34 determination allocated the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (now the DEE) as the Procurer. This determination has since been withdrawn by the DEE Minister. Once the new IRP and new Section 34 are issued, DEE and/or Eskom will determine the funding options for the Nuclear Programme," Eskom said.

"This Environmental Assessment (EA) allows an additional 4 000MW to be deployed on the Duynefontein site. The capacity to be deployed on the site will depend on the nuclear power capacity allocated in the new IRP." 

However, the announcement hasn't gone without criticism.

Environmental advocates, including the Koeberg Alert Alliance (KAA), have raised grave concerns regarding the outdated nature of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, initiated in 2007.

According to KAA's spokesperson, Peter Becker, significant changes in population density and the economic viability of alternative energy sources necessitate a reassessment of Duynefontein as a suitable nuclear site.

"It is of note that the EIA consultants found that Duynefontein (Koeberg) was not the best site for a new plant, due to seismic risks and population density in the area," Becker said.

"It appears the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has been pressured to override the consultants’ view due to economic factors. It is of course far cheaper to build a new plant where there is already existing infrastructure."

However, Eskom rebuffed these claims, asserting that the EIA indicated that both Thyspunt and Duynefontein were appropriate sites, with Thyspunt suggested as the preferred location.

Des Muller, managing director of NuEnergy Developments, said both Duynefontein and Thyspunt were sound sites to build large-scale nuclear power plants on. 

"These sites are both licensed for 4 000MW but, in the short-term, only two power plants will be built on these sites, leaving ample capacity for Small Modular Reactors (SMR)," Muller said.

"Because they don’t need the ocean to cool them, SMRs can be built anywhere and closer to the industrial load centres in our country. SMRs are also ideal to repurpose our retired coal power stations and keep those communities sustained and contributing to our economy." 

Muller also said that given South Africa's old coal power retirement program in the 2030s, both sites will have to be developed, converting these regions to net exporters of clean, reliable and affordable electricity.

"These regions will also experience economic prosperity during the build and the 60 years of operation and maintenance, as well as from the energy security they will enjoy," Muller said.

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