Breaking News: IAEA ready to offer technical assistance to the Koeberg life extension project after DA intervention
10 November 2022
Please find attached a soundbite by Kevin Mileham MP.
Following a DA request for technical expertise to assist with salvaging the stalling Koeberg nuclear power plant’s life extension project, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed directly to the DA its willingness to assist with the process under the auspices of the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Safety and Security.
With the DA having secured this commitment from the IAEA, it is now up to the Minister of Energy, Gwede Mantashe; the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) and Eskom to formally submit a request accepting the IAEA’s offer and inviting them to come assist with Koberg’s life extension project. To this end, I have written to the aforementioned parties to appraise them of the IAEA’s offer of assistance and warn them of the dangers that may accrue to Koeberg’s life extension process should they reject this potential technical support.
Having taken note of the grave warnings that were raised by the IAEA in its review mission to Koeberg from 22 March to 31 March 2022, and Koeberg’s own persistent challenges that pose a threat to the renewal of its licence beyond 2024, the DA wrote to the IAEA requesting short term technical assistance to bring the life extension project back on track. The DA’s request was primarily focused on asking the IAEA to provide Koeberg with a contingent of international nuclear power plant experts with expertise in life management of nuclear power plants.