Page 22 - Energize July 2022

NEWS

Update on Eskom’s application for a nuclear

installation site licence for Thyspunt

n 10 March 2016, the NNR Hankey, in Kouga. The NNR assessed the application in accordance with relevant safety
received a Nuclear Installation requirements, including inputs received during the stakeholder consultation process. The
OSite Licence (NISL) application overall NNR assessment identified information gaps and outdated data. Due to the information
from Eskom Holdings (SOC) Limited for the gaps and outdated data, the NNR can confirm that it is not in a position to evaluate all factors
Thyspunt site, located in the Kouga Local that either qualifies or disqualifies the Thyspunt site as being suitable for siting the postulated
Municipality in Eastern Cape Province. In nuclear installation design(s), and therefore a final decision cannot be made at this stage.
accordance with section 21 of the National Based on the above, the applicant is afforded an opportunity to submit the relevant
Nuclear Regulator Act (Act No 47 of 1999), information in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations on Licensing of Sites for
any person who may be directly affected New Nuclear Installations, R 927. The NNR notified Eskom of the status of the application on
by the granting of a nuclear installation 6 June 2022. Should the applicant decide to submit the information and updated data, the
licence pursuant to an application in applicant is required to do so within 12 months from the date of the NNR notification letter.
terms of subsection (1) or (2), may make Upon receipt of the outstanding information, the NNR will continue with the review and
representations to the Board, relating to assessment process of the application, the outcome of which will determine a regulatory
health, safety and environmental issues decision that either qualifies or disqualifies the Thyspunt site as suitable for siting of the
connected with the application. postulated nuclear installation design(s).
If the Board is of the opinion that
further public debate is necessary, it may Contact Gino Moonsamy, NNR, Phone 082 535 5365, gmoonsamy@nnr.co.za, www.nnr.co.za
arrange for such hearings on health, safety
and environmental issues as it determines. The National Nuclear Regulator and Nuclear Installation Site Licensing
The NNR Board, in accordance with the The NNR is a public entity established and governed in terms of section 3 of the National
regulatory provision as per section 21(4) Nuclear Regulator Act, (Act No. 47 of 1999) to provide for the protection of persons,
(b) of the Act, conducted public hearings property and the environment against nuclear damage through the establishment of safety
as part of the stakeholder consultation standards and regulatory practices suited for South Africa.
process for the NISL application. An application for a NISL must comply with regulatory requirements which are contained
The public hearings were held on 25 in (1) the National Nuclear Regulator Act (Act No. 47 of 1999), (2) Regulations on Licensing
and 26 August 2021 at Cape St. Francis of Sites for New Nuclear Installations (R 927) and (3) Regulations on Safety Standards and
and Jeffreys Bay, as well as on 23 and Regulatory Practices (R 388) and Regulations on the Format for the Application for a Nuclear
24 November 2021 at Humansdorp and Installation Licence or a Certificate of Registration or a Certificate of Exemption (R 1219).

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