Tractebel Continues Supporting Nuclear Sector in South Africa

Tractebel (ENS Corporate Member) recently signed a contract with South Africa’s nuclear operator Eskom to continue providing engineering support to help extend the operational duration of the Koeberg nuclear power plant by 20 years as decided by the government in 2019.

Tractebell engineers will so review and update the secondary heat balance validation tool and the plant thermodynamic model. Jointly with sub-contractor Curtiss-Wright, they will update and integrate into the model the latest plant modifications, e.g. the replacement of the steam generators.

Moreover, the engineers will also carry out studies to contribute to updating the regulatory documents for the long-term operation project for Eskom.

Tractebel collaborates with Eskom since 2014, carrying out several studies and engineering services.

Read the Tractebel full Press Release.

Koeberg NPP is currently the first and only nuclear power plant in Africa.

It has two PWR units, which are operating since the mid-1980s, and produced 6% of South Africa’s electricity in 2021.

Last may, South Africa’s ministry of mineral resources and energy stated the intent to complete the procurement of a 2,500 MW nuclear new-build project by the end of 2024.

According to an August 2021 decision by the South African energy regulator Nersa, the ministry was given the green light to work towards deploying new nuclear capacities to partially replace coal-fired generation to be retired in the 2030s.