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Mail & Guardian

National Nuclear Regulator

latest news & developments
The proposed 4 000MW project would be built at Duynefontein next to the existing Koeberg nuclear power station near Cape Town. Photo: David Harrison
ANDRE DE RUYTER

NUM clashes with Eskom over Koeberg

Union questions the utility’s decision to stall maintenance at the nuclear power plant

  • Mandisa Makgakga
4 min read
Ailing power utility Eskom has warned it will have to ramp up load-shedding during the winter months.(Photo: David Harrison/M&G)
ESKOM

Civil society groups angered by lack of transparency on Koeberg’s life extension

Legal processes required to grant a licence for South Africa’s nuclear power plant have not been followed, civil society organisations say

  • Sheree Bega
6 min read
Power on: Koeberg nuclear station. The ANC Youth League has supported the development of nuclear energy, identifying it as “critical to advance massive industrial development”. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg/Getty Images
ANDRE DE RUYTER

The nuclear option: Should it carry South Africa’s baseload?

Some argue that nuclear power will get us to our clean energy goals faster, but other experts say it is unsafe, unaffordable and unnecessary

  • Sarah Smit
12 min read
Koeberg’s chief nuclear officer, Riedewaan Barkadien, has resigned to take up an executive position at a nuclear power station in Canada. Eskom said former Koeberg power station plant manager Keith Featherstone would act as chief nuclear officer from the start of August.
CAPE TOWN

Eskom secretive about its study into seismic activity and Koeberg nuclear station

Extending the life of an aging nuclear plant, which generates only a small portion of South Africa’s electricity, in an earthquake fault zone is not worth the risk

  • Peter Becker
6 min read
Eskom said all protocol was observed when the unit was shut down. (David Harrison/M&G)
BISMARK TYOBEKA

Cape quakes no concern for Koeberg

Last week’s tremor has anti-nuclear campaigners questioning the safety of Koeberg, although the nuclear facility said the plant is designed to sustain a magnitude-seven earthquake

  • Lester Kiewit
4 min read
It remains to be seen whether Zuma will be a better tactician than Mbeki
KELVIN KEMM

Editorial: The poisoned nuclear debate

Both sides have valid points to make, but stamping out opposing views is not going to help discussion.

  • Editorial
4 min read
NATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATOR

Press Ombud rules in favour of Mail & Guardian

The Press Ombudsman ruled in favour of the Mail & Guardian following a complaint laid by National Nuclear Regulator chief executive Bismark Tyobeka.

  • Sapa
2 min read
Using AI without critical reflection widens the gap between relevance and convenience.
NATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATOR

Nuclear regulator CEO criticises M&G report

National Nuclear Regulator chief executive described as irresponsible and reckless an M&G report claiming a job was created for his wife at Necsa.

  • Sapa
3 min read
Koeberg’s chief nuclear officer, Riedewaan Barkadien, has resigned to take up an executive position at a nuclear power station in Canada. Eskom said former Koeberg power station plant manager Keith Featherstone would act as chief nuclear officer from the start of August.
ESKOM

The vital power of nuclear objectivity

South Africa’s regulator will refrain from taking part in nuclear energy talks to ensure impartiality.

  • Sarah Wild
6 min read