Eskom’s old data for fresh Thyspunt foray under fire

Critics of the Thyspunt nuclear proposal have slammed Eskom’s fresh bid for a site licence, saying the application is based on old information which raises concerns about the utility’s commitment to a proper assessment.

Concerned citizens to environmental organisations were given the opportunity to present their views during the first of a series of public hearings hosted by the National Nuclear Regulator.

The hearings are focused on the application by Eskom for a licence to build a nuclear reactor at Thyspunt.

Yesterday’s hearing were held at the Cape St Francis Resort.

Kromme-Enviro Trust vice-chair Maggie Langlands said the organisation was concerned about the safety crisis the reactor would trigger if there was a nuclear accident.

“Can we be confident in Eskom?

“Why is the data in their public information document 20 years out of date?

“They note population density as one of the key aspects to be considered when evaluating the suitability of a site specifically ‘in relation to the possibility of implementing emergency measures’.

“But then they say the current population of Cape St Francis, Sea Vista and St Francis Bay is 2,432. Yet they acknowledge that was in 2001.

“It suggests carelessness about this process. Does it indicate carelessness about public safety as well?”

Langlands said the present official population of the area according to the Kouga municipality website was in fact 8,000.

She said the population ballooned to 15,000-23,000 people during the December holiday period — much more than Eskom’s 2008 figure of 5,624 — and this massive seasonal influx needed to be taken into account.

“Nuclear accidents do not restrict themselves to the nonholiday season.

“In the event of an accident, that’s a significant number of people who would have to get themselves out along one twolane road and over two bridges.” Eskom’s nuclear aspirations for the site, situated between Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay, were launched more than a decade ago.

Multiple environmental impact assessments were sub

mitted after successful challenges from the anti-Thyspunt grouping.

In 2017, the department of the environment instead approved their alternate application to build a plant at Duynefontein in the Western Cape.

Then in July this year, the issue surfaced again, with Eskom applying for a Nuclear Installation Site Licence for Thyspunt, prompting the public hearings.

Kouga local municipality mayor Horatio Hendricks opened proceedings yesterday with a brief speech noting his municipality’s drive to establish clean energy.

“So we are an enabler and not partisan regarding this nuclear application.

“I only ask that we listen with an open mind and engage rigorously.”

Eskom nuclear officer Riedewaan Bakardien said the utility was applying for the licence to ensure the necessary readiness for if it needed to build a reactor at Thyspunt in the future.

Bakardien said the utility had investigated potential hazards including its vulnerability to tsunamis, earthquakes and in the case of a nuclear accident, and what the effect on tourism would be if the reactor was built at Thyspunt.

“We were satisfied with the results and the suitability of the site.”

National Nuclear Regulator chief executive Dr Bismark Tyobeka asked Bakardien why Eskom was applying for a licence to build at Thyspunt when the environment department had already approved its application for Duynefontein.

He said the utility was indeed planning to build a 4,000 megawatt reactor at Duynefontein.

“In the meantime, there is significant value in bringing to conclusion the site licensing process for Thyspunt.”

National Nuclear Regulator board of directors chair Dr Thapelo Motshudi said he was aware of the scepticism about state-owned entities in SA.

“But there are centres of excellence. Koeberg is still standing and we have contributed to that.”

Wildlife and Environment Society Algoa Bay branch and Thyspunt Alliance representative Gary Koekemoer said Eskom’s confused wind direction data were some of the project’s fatal flaws.

He said if there was an accident at Thyspunt, the prevailing southwest wind would ensure any radioactive plume would engulf Cape St Francis, Sea Vista and St Francis Bay within 15 minutes and be over Nelson Mandela Bay in four hours.

“A slight shift to northwest would take it out to sea straight over the chokka breeding grounds.

“What will the effect be on that vital fishery?

“Eskom hasn’t even looked at that.”

The regulator is due to hold a second hearing in Jeffreys Bay today.