Elegant Report

eir for demonstration module pbmr

ESKOM

PROPOSED PEBBLE BED MODULAR REACTOR

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED PEBBLE BED MODULAR REACTOR (PBMR) DEMONSTRATION PLANT AT THE ESKOM KOEBERG NUCLEAR POWER STATION SITE IN THE WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

OCTOBER 2002

(REV 03)

Prepared by: The PBMR EIA Consortium

C/o Poltech (Pty) Ltd

P O Box 7211

CENTURION

0046

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In terms of the Environment Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989), Eskom, South Africas national utility for electricity supply, submitted an application to establish and operate a 110MegaWatt (MWe) electricity class demonstration module Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) on the site of the Eskom Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in the Western Cape.

The purpose of the proposed Plant is to assess the techno-economic viability of the technology for South African and international application for electricity generation and other commercial applications.

The Plant forms part of a suite of feasible technologies to optimise electricity supply and demand for future sustainable and affordable electricity management and to support economic growth. Since many of these technologies are new to the South African market demonstration plants will first be established to thoroughly understand the techno-economic characteristics of such technology(ies).

The introduction of these technologies forms part of Eskoms Integrated Strategic Electricity Programme- (ISEP) which will ultimately inform the National Integrated Resource Planning Process (IRPP) as described in the National Energy Policy White Paper.

THE PBMR DEMONSTRATION MODULE

The Plant consists of a combination of two well established and tested technologies which have been combined and adapted through a modular South African design. These two technologies are the so-called pebble bed modular reactor which is based on a nuclear design with helium cooling and a Brayton cycle gas turbine which is helium driven.

Its modular design, size and output position the technology package for commercial manufacturing and flexible integration into the energy mix.

The designers of the Plant state the following advantages:

It has a high thermal efficiency (42%).

The construction time frame is about 24 months.

The building dimensions are 60m long and 37m wide and 60m high with about 24m above ground.

It has a high availability (limited maintenance) and reliability

The design of the reactor and material features of the nuclear fuel coatings make the technology radiologically safe.

The capital investment to provide for electricity growth or replacement of old generation plants is more affordable than for large coal fired stations.

It can be utilised for base load, mid merit or peak demand electricity supply.

It can rapidly change load rating from low levels (e.g. 50MWe) to peaking level (110MWe plus). This is referred to as the ramping capability of the Plant.

The global history of PBMR Technology, safety aspects and management of radiological waste(s) especially High Level Waste is dealt with in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and supplemented with international experience as summarised by Kugeler et. al. (Annexure 16 a and b).

The manufacture of nuclear fuel for the Plant as well as the associated transport of nuclear materials forms part of a separate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application by the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA). It is proposed that Fuel manufacture will be done on the Pelindaba campus that is located to the west of Pretoria in North West Province. The Transport of imported Uranium oxide is proposed to be by road via the N3 highway from Durban Harbour (preferred harbour of import) to Pelindaba. The manufactured fuel will follow the N1 highway down to the PBMR demonstration module at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Site.

The Uranium oxide will be sourced from Russia and transported to South Africa by sea. This part of the transport falls outside the scope of this EIR.

OVERALL GOVERNANCE

The overall project (the Plant, fuel manufacture and transport) is governed by various Acts, Regulations, Treaties and Policies under the jurisdiction of various government departments, listed hereunder, namely:

ACTS

No of Act

No and Date:

Departments

The Constitution of South Africa

Act 108 of 1996

Office of the State President

Environment Conservation Act

Act 73 of 1989

Environmental Affairs and Tourism

National Environmental Management Act

Act 107 of 1998

Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act

Act 45 of 1965

Environmental Affairs and Tourism

Electricity Act

Act 41 of 1987

Public Enterprises

Hazardous Substances Act

Ac 15 of 1973

Labour and Industry

National Heritage Resources Act

Act 25 of 1999

S A Heritage Resources Agency

National Nuclear Regulator Act

Act 47 of 1999

Minerals and Energy

National Roads Traffic Act

Act 94 of 1996

Transport

National Water Act

Act 36 of 1998

Water Affairs and Forestry

National Nuclear Energy Act

Act 46 of 1999

Mineral and Energy

National Monuments Act

Act 28 of 1969

National Monuments Council

Occupational Health and Safety Act

Act 85 of 1993

Health and Welfare

Physical Planning Act

Act 135 of 1991

Land Affairs

Promotion of Access to Information Act

Act 2 of 2000

-

Seashore Act

Act 21 of 1935

Environmental Affairs and Tourism

REGULATIONS:

The EIA Regulations contained in government notice 1183 of 5 September 1997 as amended.

National Road Traffic Regulations as published in the Government Gazette of 17 March 2000

Regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material (IAEA No. TS-R-1 (ST-1 revised)

TREATIES:

South Africa, as a responsible member of the world community, has become a signatory to a variety of international agreements, dealing with issues such as marine conservation and pollution, the atmosphere, fauna and flora, Antartica, whaling and the conservation of wetlands. These conventions place specific environmental impact management requirements and obligations on the South African Government in complying to the aims and objections of these conventions. In cases where the proposed undertaking of an identified activity may influence or affect compliance with these conventions or is likely to have a significant detrimental effect across South Africas international boundaries, special procedures and EIA requirements may be required.

Bonn Convention (Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

South Africa acceded to the Bonn Convention in December 1991. The convention was a response to the need for nations to co-operate in the conservation of animals that migrate across their borders. These include terrestrial animals, reptiles, marine species and birds. Special attention is paid to endangered species. No direct application to the proposed PBMR project.

CITES (Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

The main objectives of this convention are the protection of endangered species, the economic utilisation of species, monitoring the status of species and control of illegal trade. No direct application to the proposed PBMR project.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

The aim is to effect international co-operation in the conservation of biological diversity and to promote the sustainable use of living natural resources world-wide. No direct application to the proposed PBMR project, however the protection of biological diversity within the affected areas of the PBMR demonstration module and fuel plant will be undertaken through the construction EMP and operational environmental surveillance programmes and general operating practices.

The International Whaling Convention (International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (IWC) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

South Africa is a founder member of the IWC and has a proud record regarding conservation and research for whale management. No direct application to the proposed PBMR project.

Montreal Protocol (Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

South Africa became a signatory in January 1990. The protocol is aimed at ensuring measures to protect the ozone layer. No direct application to the proposed PBMR project.

Basel Convention (Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposals) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

South Africa became party to the convention in May 1994. The main objectives of the convention are the reduction of the production of hazardous waste and the restriction of transboundary movement and disposal of such waste. This has application to the proposed PBMR project and are factored into the requirements of the National Nuclear Regulator with regard to the waste generated by the proposed Plant.

Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) (extracted from the DEAT EIA Guideline of April 1989)

The convention addresses the threat of globa