Pretoria – The Council for Geoscience (CGS) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Eskom and its leadership on the successful approval to extend the life of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. This milestone marks a significant achievement in South Africa’s journey towards energy security.

In recent years, the CGS has diligently executed the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) on behalf of Eskom. This crucial work supported submissions to the National Nuclear Regulator, enabling the extension of Koeberg’s operating license to 2044. This research highlights the pivotal role of science in critical decision-making processes for future planning. As the CGS, we affirm that geosciences play a vital role in energy security, mineral development, infrastructure, and land-use planning.

The PSHA was further enhanced by extensive site characterisation and data collection activities, providing essential geoscientific information for potential new nuclear developments at Duynefontein. Mr Mosa Mabuza, CEO of CGS states, “The extension of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant license is a testament to the collaborative efforts between Eskom and the CGS. This achievement underscores the importance of leveraging scientific expertise for informed decision-making in our energy sector.”

Mabuza continues, “We acknowledge the work of our dedicated team of scientists and technical support staff for their unwavering commitment to this project. We are also grateful to Eskom management for entrusting the CGS with this critical task, contributing significantly to South Africa’s energy future.”

Council for Geoscience “The CGS stands ready to support future nuclear programs, offering geoscientific insights to
guide balanced and scientifically sound decisions. Our mandate remains to provide geoscience information to advise the state and the public, reinforcing the importance of science in our national development,” concludes Mabuza.

ENDS.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Mahlatse Mononela

Manager: Communication and Stakeholder Relations
E: info@geoscience.org.za, M: +27 (0)67 426 1417