Sunday, 9 November 2025

Koeberg Unit 2 Celebrates 40 Years of Nuclear Power Generation

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station's Unit 2 has reached a significant milestone, marking 40 years of operation since it first entered commercial service on 9 November 1985. The unit has received approval from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) for a 20-year licence extension, allowing it to continue generating power until 2045.

Licence Extension Secures Long-term Power Supply

The NNR granted approval for the licence extension on 6 November 2025, following Eskom's completion of a comprehensive long-term operation programme. This programme included rigorous safety assessments, engineering upgrades, and system modernisation to ensure the facility continues to meet international nuclear standards.

With Unit 1 having celebrated its 40-year anniversary in July 2024 and already securing a licence extension to 2044, both Koeberg units will continue to supply approximately 1,860MW of baseload power to the national grid for the next two decades.

Performance and Reliability

According to Eskom, Koeberg Unit 2 currently contributes 946MW to the national grid and has achieved a 100% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) for 244 consecutive days this year. This level of performance reflects the station's reliability in a period when South Africa has been working to stabilize its electricity supply following years of loadshedding challenges.

The station has also received more than 14 NOSCAR safety awards from the National Occupational Safety Association, highlighting its focus on operational safety.

Strategic Importance to the Grid

Located approximately 30km north of Cape Town, Koeberg plays a strategic role in the Western Cape's energy stability. Its proximity to Cape Town reduces transmission losses that typically occur when electricity is transported over long distances from power stations in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

The power station operates within a 3,000-hectare nature reserve, which Eskom points to as evidence of its environmental management approach.

Executive Commentary

Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane described the milestone as "a proud moment for South Africa" that demonstrates the country's capability to operate complex infrastructure safely.

Bheki Nxumalo, Group Executive for Generation, attributed Koeberg's four decades of operation to "the exceptional dedication, professionalism and expertise of its employees" whose work ensures reliable operations.

Outlook for Koeberg and Nuclear in South Africa

The 20-year extensions for both Koeberg units align with the goals outlined in South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan 2025 (IRP2025). The continued operation of Koeberg will provide stable baseload power during South Africa's ongoing energy transition.

While Koeberg remains South Africa's only commercial nuclear power plant, its extended operation represents a significant component of the country's low-carbon generation capacity. The performance of the station over the next decades will likely influence discussions about the potential role of nuclear power in South Africa's future energy mix.

The extension comes as South Africa continues to work toward energy security after a challenging period marked by extensive loadshedding from 2022 to early 2024. While the grid has stabilized considerably since then, maintaining reliable baseload power sources remains crucial to preventing a return to widespread power cuts.

Key Terms Explained

Energy Availability Factor (EAF): A measurement of a power plant's availability to produce electricity, expressed as a percentage of its maximum potential production. A 100% EAF means the unit was available to generate its full capacity throughout the entire period measured.

Transmission Losses: The amount of electricity lost as heat when power is transported over long distances through transmission lines. Generating electricity closer to where it's consumed (like Koeberg's proximity to Cape Town) reduces these losses.

Baseload Power: The minimum amount of power that needs to be available to the electrical grid at any given time. Nuclear plants like Koeberg provide consistent, around-the-clock electricity regardless of weather conditions.

IRP2025: The Integrated Resource Plan 2025, South Africa's electricity infrastructure development plan that outlines the country's projected energy needs and how they will be met through various generation sources.

Just Energy Transition: South Africa's approach to shifting from coal dependency to cleaner energy sources while ensuring the process is fair to workers and communities currently dependent on the coal industry.

1 Megawatt (MW): Enough electricity to power approximately 650-700 average South African homes. Koeberg's total capacity of 1,860MW can therefore power over 1.2 million households.