Cape Town has requested extra time from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) to decide on the Koeberg power plant's request to operate for 20 more years, as authorities worry about urban space and their ability to respond to a potential nuclear accident. The city has worked with the NNR and state-owned power utility Eskom to manage urban sprawl within the five to 16 km emergency zone around the Koeberg nuclear plant. As Eskom awaits a decision from the NNR to extend Koeberg's lifespan, concerns over land use in a key northern development node where housing complexes are mushrooming have topped the agenda for environmental activists and communities.
The city did not divulge the operational implications it foresaw in the event of a serious radiation leak, but defended the safety plan, saying it was updated regularly and followed best international practice. An NNR spokesperson said they were aware of Cape Town's request for more time to respond, ahead of its final decision expected by end July or August.
The Southern African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI) warned of court action to overturn its decision if Koeberg be allowed to continue operations. A 2022 IAEA report flagged several safety issues following inspections at Koeberg, including cracks and erosion in buildings containing pressurised water reactors and a dysfunctional monitoring system. Eskom confirmed that all 14 items mentioned were evaluated and "confirmed that all have been resolved."
