Cabinet decision: Necsa responsible for new research reactor and fuel cycle

The South African government has decided that the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) will be the owner/operator of the planned new Multipurpose Reactor (MPR) and the proposed future nuclear fuel cycle. National electricity utility Eskom will be the owner/operator of the planned fleet of new nuclear power plants (NPPs). These decisions were taken during the Cabinet meeting held on November 2.

The decisions alter a previous Cabinet decision, taken on June 10 last year, that made Necsa the procurement agency for the new NPPs. At that time, this decision was taken so that Eskom could focus on its troubled Medupi and Kusile coal-fired power stations and the Ingula pumped-storage hydroelectric power station. Now Eskom regains responsibility for the new NPPs. Policy setting and coordination of the new nuclear programme will be the responsibility of the Department of Energy.

“Necsa welcomes the role designated to us by Cabinet, as the owner, operator and procurer of the nuclear fuel cycle and the new MPR,” stated Necsa CEO Phumzile Tshelane. “I am really pleased that this important development has been confirmed by Cabinet,” said Necsa board chairperson Dr Kelvin Kemm. “It means that Eskom and Necsa will be working together in the procurement of the major new nuclear power fleet.

“The control of the development and supply of nuclear fuel is an incredibly important factor in delivering low-cost nuclear power,” observed Kemm. “Currently, an imported fuel element costs about R40-million and a reactor typically uses more than 150 such elements per reload.” “This is an wonderful opportunity for Necsa and for South Africa,” affirmed Tshelane. “Necsa has fabricated fuel elements of this type in the past and it is a great opportunity for the country, for us, to be able to make such a major contribution to this valuable industrial expansion.”

Developing a new nuclear fuel cycle will require the development of infrastructure for uranium beneficiation, conversion and enrichment, as well as the creation of high-tech fabrication facilities. Necsa will be responsible for these developments. The resulting fuel will be used to replenish both the planned new reactors and the two existing reactors at the Koeberg NPP, near Cape Town.

The MPR, with a planned power capacity of 20 MW, will replace the now 51-year-old SAFARI-1 research reactor, which is used for the production of medical radioisotopes (exported to more than 60 countries) and other commercial products, as well as research and development. Thanks to SAFARI-1, seen internationally as the most effectively used such reactor in the world, South Africa has the second-largest market share in the global nuclear medicine supplies market.

“Necsa is fully cognisant of the responsibilities and aspirations it will carry for the country and for the nuclear industry worldwide,” assured Tshelane. “This obligation will be delivered with due diligence and transparency, in line with developing South African nuclear technology to contribute to the economy and to localisation in the nuclear new build programme, leading to employment opportunities and enhanced industrial skills.”

Cabinet decisions regarding Necsa’s responsibilities in the future nuclear programme are in line with the National Energy Plan.