New nuclear build to be situated next to Koeberg



13-10-2017
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Moneyweb
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Environmental authorisation granted for Duynefontein, rather than Thyspunt.

Eskom says authorisation for Duynefontein means that Thyspunt if off the table for now. Picture: Bloomberg Eskom says authorisation for Duynefontein means that Thyspunt if off the table for now. Picture: Bloomberg Eskom on Friday announced that it has obtained environmental approval for the construction of a new nuclear installation at Duynefontein in the Western Cape, next to the existing Koeberg nuclear power plant.

This is unexpected as Thyspunt near Oyster Bay in the Eastern Cape was Eskom’s preferred site.

Eskom’s chief nuclear officer Dave Nicholls says, “We welcome the authorisation by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the Final Environmental Impact Report (F-EIR) for the Nuclear-1 Power Station and associated infrastructure, and consider this an important milestone in the development process of South Africa’s nuclear programme. While we had worked on Thyspunt being the preferred site according to the F-EIR compiled by an independent environmental practitioner GIBB, we have always considered both sites equally capable of hosting a nuclear power plant. To this end, we had progressed the Nuclear Installation Site Licence (NISL) to the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) for both sites.”

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says while Eskom submitted applications for both sites, the decision means the Thyspunt if off the table for now.

He says Eskom will proceed with preparations in order to be ready if and when government decides to go ahead with nuclear development.

The minister of energy has to make a formal determination of the capacity nuclear generation that should be developed. This is, however, dependent on the finalisation of the Integrated Resource Plan that will set out the country’s long-term power needs and the mix of technologies to be developed.

Phasiwe told Moneyweb that the fact that the infrastructure and logistics have already been established at Duynefontein and the further environmental impact would be limited, tipped the scale in favour of this site.

Environmental groups in and around Thyspunt and as far as Port Elizabeth were very vocal in their opposition against nuclear development on the pristine site.

Eskom said at the beginning of the project, five alternative siting areas were investigated at the scoping phase, which are Brazil and Schulpfontein in the Northern Cape on the west coast between Kleinzee and Hondeklip Bay, Bantamsklip in the Western Cape on the coast next to Pearly Beach east of Hermanus, Duynefontein and Thyspunt.

“Following the scoping phase, Brazil and Schulpfontein were excluded from further detailed specialist environmental studies for the Nuclear-1 EIA. It is important to note that the other four sites are still usable in the future as no fatal flaws have been identified”, Eskom stated.

Nicholls adds, “Throughout the EIA process, more than thirty five (35) studies were undertaken, with some revised and updated, by experienced specialists and a comprehensive Public Participation Process (PPP) was undertaken. The granted authorisation is confirmation of the adequacy of the extensive work undertaken.”

Going forward, GIBB and Eskom will interrogate the decision and will work within the regulations in terms of available options. Eskom’s chief nuclear officer Dave Nicholls says, “We welcome the authorisation by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the Final Environmental Impact Report (F-EIR) for the Nuclear-1 Power Station and associated infrastructure, and consider this an important milestone in the development process of South Africa’s nuclear programme. While we had worked on Thyspunt being the preferred site according to the F-EIR compiled by an independent environmental practitioner GIBB, we have always considered both sites equally capable of hosting a nuclear power plant. To this end, we had progressed the Nuclear Installation Site Licence (NISL) to the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) for both sites.”

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says while Eskom submitted applications for both sites, the decision means the Thyspunt if off the table for now.

He says Eskom will proceed with preparations in order to be ready if and when government decides to go ahead with nuclear development.

The minister of energy has to make a formal determination of the capacity nuclear generation that should be developed. This is, however, dependent on the finalisation of the Integrated Resource Plan that will set out the country’s long-term power needs and the mix of technologies to be developed.

Phasiwe told Moneyweb that the fact that the infrastructure and logistics have already been established at Duynefontein and the further environmental impact would be limited, tipped the scale in favour of this site.

Environmental groups in and around Thyspunt and as far as Port Elizabeth were very vocal in their opposition against nuclear development on the pristine site.

Eskom said at the beginning of the project, five alternative siting areas were investigated at the scoping phase, which are Brazil and Schulpfontein in the Northern Cape on the west coast between Kleinzee and Hondeklip Bay, Bantamsklip in the Western Cape on the coast next to Pearly Beach east of Hermanus, Duynefontein and Thyspunt.

“Following the scoping phase, Brazil and Schulpfontein were excluded from further detailed specialist environmental studies for the Nuclear-1 EIA. It is important to note that the other four sites are still usable in the future as no fatal flaws have been identified”, Eskom stated.

Nicholls adds, “Throughout the EIA process, more than thirty five (35) studies were undertaken, with some revised and updated, by experienced specialists and a comprehensive Public Participation Process (PPP) was undertaken. The granted authorisation is confirmation of the adequacy of the extensive work undertaken.”

Going forward, GIBB and Eskom will interrogate the decision and will work within the regulations in terms of available options.

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