No Leak at South Africa’s Only Nuclear Plant

The nuclear watchdog in South Africa says that three incidents at its sole power station did not release any radioactive material into the outside world. The events happened on June 30, July 2 and July 7 when a loss of power cut the ventilation systems during routine maintenance. Inside the Koeberg plant, workers noticed higher levels of airborne radiation, but all measurements stayed below the amount a person gets from a dental X‑ray. A team of inspectors checked every part of the plant and found that the contamination was kept inside the building. Because nothing escaped, the incidents do not qualify as a nuclear or radiological emergency.

Koeberg sits about 40 kilometres north of Cape Town and is Africa’s only commercial nuclear power station. It has two reactors that supply roughly five per cent of the country’s electricity and has just received a 20‑year extension that will keep it running past 2040. South Africa is looking to add more nuclear sites to reduce its heavy reliance on coal, which causes pollution and power outages. Other African countries, such as Egypt, are also building nuclear plants to meet growing energy needs while trying to stay safe. The recent incidents show that the plant’s safety systems are working, but they also highlight why regular checks and good ventilation are vital in any nuclear facility.

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