The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) of South Africa has approved a 20-year extension for one of the units at the Koeberg nuclear power plant. This decision allows Unit 1 to continue operating until July 21, 2044.
Originally, Unit 1’s 40-year operating license was set to expire this month. State-owned power utility Eskom had applied for the extension as part of its strategy to alleviate the country’s severe power shortages.
Despite opposition from some environmental activists who raised safety concerns, the NNR board granted the extension. NNR Chief Executive Ditebogo Kgomo stated that the approval is contingent on implementing safety improvements identified during the third periodic safety review.
The regulator is still evaluating Eskom’s request to extend the life of Koeberg’s Unit 2 by another 20 years. Unit 2’s current license remains valid until November 2025.
Koeberg, located outside Cape Town, is the only operational nuclear power station in Africa. With a capacity of approximately 1,900 megawatts, it contributes about 5% of Eskom’s total electricity generation.
