Eskom hosted specialists from the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) at Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape yesterday, 3 February.
The visit was a site familiarisation exercise and part of the reviewing of Eskom’s application for a nuclear installation site licence (NISL), according to an Eskom press release., The Eskom team was led by Loyiso Tyabashe, Programme Director for Nuclear New Build and the NNR team was led by Alan Muller, NNR Special Projects Coordinator.
Photo supplied by Eskom shows from left, Mothusi Ramorafe, Louisa Mpete,Avinash Singh, Allan Muller (NNR), Daryl Govender and Loyiso Tyabashe (Eskom)
Eskom says it applied to the NNR for a nuclear installation site licence in March last year 2016 for Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape and Duynefontyn in the Western Cape. “Thyspunt was recommended by the environmental impact assessment (EIA) as the preferred site for installation of the new nuclear reactors, with the final decision being awaited from the Department of Environmental Affairs,” Eskom says..
“The NNR is assessing the suitability and acceptability of both sites (Thyspunt and Duynefontein) to accommodate a nuclear installation in accordance with the NNR requirements. The NNR has been following its internal processes of verification of the application and has conducted an audit on Eskom processes related to the development of the Site Safety Report (SSR). The NNR also appointed 16 international consultants to support them in the evaluation of the SSR and Safety Case.”
Eskom also says the rhe review process includes looking at site selection and qualification to determine how Thyspunt was selected, qualification process leading to Thyspunt Site Safety Report (TSSR), land ownership, etc.; characteristics of the site (investigations completed, boreholes, geology, geohydrology, geotechnical, oceanography, meteorological station, monitoring); potential impact on the public and environment (radiological base lines, geohydrology, population, land use, sea use, etc.) and environmental considerations (heritage, environmental management plan site layout – footprint, intake and outfall, access routes, constructability).”
Eskom says it publicised the applications in government gazettes in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape including local newspapers and the National Gazette, calling for public comments on the NISL application, as required by the regulations.” The NNR will conduct public participation meetings to finalise the public consultation process,” Eskom adds.
St Francis Chronicle 