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| ISSUE:
Location of the Koeberg nuclear power station within the CMA |
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| The location of the Koeberg
nuclear power station within the CMA poses a number of environmental risks. |
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| Demand for cheap
electricity is weighed against the long-term risks of using nuclear power. Safety requirements for residential areas within Koeberg’s safety
zone increase pressure on land available for urban expansion along the Koeberg Road
corridor (MSDF) and for expansion of Atlantis.
Demand for electricity in the CMA will continue to increase due
to the population growth.
Economic growth leading to a greater energy demand by industry
and commerce.
Generation of radio active, nuclear waste from the Koeberg Power
Station requiring specialised transportation and storage at a site in the Northern Cape
Province.
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| Radioactive fuels are
currently stored on-site while spent fuels are transported to a disposal site in the
northern Cape. In 1996/97, 1045 m3 of low level waste and 515 m3 of
inter-mediate level waste, were generated. Safety standards
are controlled by the Council for Nuclear Safety. Koeberg Nuclear Power Station has had a
National Occupational Safety Assessment – Management Bio-Objective Programme
(NOSA-MBO) of 95% and above for the last three years. As a result, Koeberg has achieved
NOSA’s superior or ultimate rating called ‘NOSCAR’.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station generates 1842 MW of power, most of
which is used in the Western Cape Province. The power stations uses 52 assemblies of
Uranium every 18 months.
There were no reported leakages of radioactive material in 1998.
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The following indicators
are monitored by Eskom:
- Safety rating.
- Number of reported leakages of radioactive material per annum.
See a summary of all
Indicators on this website
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The following response
is underway by the CMC:
- The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) aims to improve the delivery
of basic services including electricity.
Additional responses underway:
- In 1991 Eskom embarked on national electrification programme to
provide informal settlements with electricity.
- A national policy is being developed to promote the use of
alternative energy sources.
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Make use of
alternative ‘clean’ energy generators, e.g. solar heaters and small-scale wind
turbines.
Lobby government to
consider alternative ways of generating electricity.
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