South Africa power utility, Eskom, has officially applied to the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) for a 20–year extension to continue operating Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, located near Cape Town. The current operating license for the unit, which generates 930 megawatts of electricity (MWe), is set to expire next year.
The announcement was made during the African Energy Week in Cape Town, where Velaphi Ntuli, Chief Nuclear Officer at Koeberg, confirmed that the unit remains operationally safe and free of any safety concerns. He emphasized that the plant’s strong safety record forms the basis of Eskom’s request for the extended license period.
“We have full confidence in the safety and performance of Unit 2,” Ntuli said, adding that Eskom is hopeful the National Nuclear Regulator will approve the application after reviewing all supporting evidence.
Eskom has already conducted public hearings in the Northern Cape and plans to continue the consultation process in the Western Cape, in compliance with South Africa’s regulatory requirements for nuclear operations.
The company’s latest move follows a successful license extension for Unit 1, which was approved earlier by the regulator, reinforcing Eskom’s efforts to sustain nuclear energy as part of South Africa’s long-term power strategy.
If approved, the extension will allow Koeberg Unit 2 to operate until 2046, providing a stable source of low-carbon electricity and supporting the nation’s transition toward a more reliable and sustainable energy mix.
The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant remains Africa’s only commercial nuclear facility, and Eskom’s pursuit of operational longevity underscores its commitment to maintaining energy security while advancing South Africa’s clean energy goals.