South African state utility Eskom has received approval from the National Nuclear Regulator to extend the lifespan of Unit 1 at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station by 20 years.
The approval will allow Unit 1 to operate until July 21, 2044, supplying 930 MW to South Africa’s national grid. The unit now joins about 120 nuclear reactors worldwide that have safely operated beyond their initial 40-year lifespan, according to Eskom.
“The granting of the license is a testament to the hard work and continued commitment of our teams to nuclear safety and Eskom’s generation recovery plan,” said Keith Featherstone, Eskom Chief Nuclear Officer. “Over the years, Koeberg has identified and implemented safety improvements… which have reduced the risk to levels that would normally only be achieved by new, modern nuclear power plants.”
The unit is scheduled for closure in January 2025 for refueling and maintenance.
