Nuclear reactor Eskom Koeberg

Photo: Samuel Metz / Flickr

Eskom latest: Nuclear reactor building at Koeberg ‘quickly deteriorating’

Nothing like a little ‘nuclear panic’ to end the week, is there? Eskom has acknowledged there is damage to the reactor building at Koeberg.

Nuclear reactor Eskom Koeberg

Photo: Samuel Metz / Flickr

We think the sequel to 2020 is well in the making, here. Eskom has acknowledged a report shared by the Koeberg Alert Alliance, which revealed the extent of structural damage at the Cape Town-based plant. The building which houses the nuclear reactor has suffered ‘substantial damage’ – and the utility has confirmed that tests and assessments are ongoing.

Sea air ‘causing corrosion’ at Koeberg

Koeberg has been a troublesome issue for Eskom over the last decade. It’s coming towards the end of its intended lifespan, meaning that maintenance issues are becoming more and more prevalent. Both KAA and Eskom have explained that the ‘sea air’ present at the coastal facility is helping to accelerate the deterioration of key structures.

And, when one of those structures hosts the nuclear reactor, it’s not exactly the most reassuring news to receive…

The salt in the sea air caused accelerated rust in the concrete of the containment structure, which caused cracking. About 10% of the surface of the containment building has delaminated [split into layers]. Eskom is surprised by the speed at which it’s deteriorating… Koeberg was not well constructed, and the effect of sea-air was not well understood.

Koeberg Alert Alliance

‘Cracks showing’ at nuclear reactor building – but Eskom remaining calm

Eskom, as expected, has moved to calm fears about the nuclear reactor building. Although they list their main concerns as the ‘externally exposed concrete surfaces’, they also made it clear that the Koeberg facility can withstand ‘even the most severe accident’, playing down the chance of a possible radioactive catastrophe.

The firm is keen to extend Koeberg’s operations past 2024 – the year it was scheduled to be decommissioned. However, no decision will be taken officially until all assessments of the plant have been completed.

“Eskom is fully aware of the risk of corrosion at Koeberg Power Station. This is a result of the station being located in a corrosive environment [next to the sea]. Ongoing testing at the containment buildings – which house the reactor and its nuclear components – have proven the structures to be capable of withstanding the most severe accident.”

“The results of our tests show conclusively that the design functions of the containment buildings are met, and in-line with industry norms. However, the main concern to the long term health of these buildings is the deterioration of its externally exposed concrete surfaces.”

“A long term solution to prevent corrosion, caused by chloride ingress, is the implementation of an induced protection system. This is currently being implemented, and testing & assessments of Koeberg’s containment facilities are ongoing.”

Eskom statement
  • – You can read the full statement from Eskom here: