The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) announced on Monday that it has completed the third and final round of public consultations regarding national electricity utility Eskom’s application for authorisation for Long-Term Operation (LTO) of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. LTO meant extending the operation of nuclear reactors beyond their original design life. Koeberg had two reactors, known as Unit 1 and Unit 2.

“The NNR values the input received during these public hearings,” assured NNR Board Chairperson Protas Phili. “The perspectives and concerns of stakeholders are an important part of our overall assessment, ensuring that the decision we take is informed, transparent, and in the best interests of nuclear safety and radiation protection.”

This final set of public hearings was spread across five locations, in two provinces. In the Northern Cape, the consultations were held at Garies (on September 29) and Concordia (September 30). In the Western Cape, they were held in three suburbs of Metro Cape Town, namely Athlone (on October 2), Table View (October 3) and Atlantis (October 4).

“Members of the public, community representatives, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders were provided with an opportunity to present their views, raise concerns, and make submissions about Eskom’s Koeberg LTO application,” stated the NNR. “The NNR will now carefully consider all inputs received from the written comments and oral presentations, together with the outcomes of its comprehensive internal technical review and reach its final regulatory decision on the application. The regulatory decision on the Koeberg Unit 2 LTO application will be announced upon conclusion of the NNR’s internal processes.”

The public hearings were the result of the NNR’s determination to ensure transparency and to provide meaningful public involvement in the making of regulatory decisions.