Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Demonstration Power Plant (PBMR ...

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT
Environmental Impact Assessment
for the Proposed 400 MW(t) Pebble
Bed Modular Reactor Demonstration
Power Plant (PBMR DPP) on the
Koeberg Power Station site in the
Western Cape
November 2005
1

1. INTRODUCTION
Eskom proposes to construct, commission, operate, maintain and decommission a
Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) Demonstration Power Plant (DPP) with a
nominal thermal output of 400 MW to assess the technological, environmental and
socio-economic viability of the technology.
The proposed project is in response to:
Assessments of the projected electricity demand and supply in South Africa:
The Department of Minerals and Energy performs Integrated Energy Planning to
identify future energy demand and supply requirements. The National
Electricity Regulator (NER) performs National Integrated Resource Planning to
identify the future electricity demand and supply requirements. Similarly Eskom
assesses the projected electricity demand and supply through a process called
the Integrated Strategic Electricity Plan. Through these processes, the most
likely future electricity demand is forecast based on long-term Southern African
economic scenarios. This information provides the framework for Eskom and
South Africa to investigate a wide range of supply and demand-side
technologies and options. This planning process identified that South Africa will
require additional “peaking electricity generating capacity” by 2007 and
additional “base load electricity generating capacity” by 2010.
In the longer term (2020 and beyond), the existing power stations will start to
come to the end of their useful life, hence replacement power stations will be
required over and above those required to cater for growth in demand.
As part of an ongoing effort to evaluate the viability of all supply-side options, a
number of power generation technologies, not yet implemented in South Africa
on a commercial basis, are being evaluated in terms of technical, socioeconomic
and environmental aspects. These research, development and
demonstration investigations include:
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Underground high head pumped storage (hydro) schemes using worked out
mines.
Underground coal gasification.
Ultra Fines coal.
Wind energy.
Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) technology.
A solar thermal power plant.
♦ Photovoltaic and biomass gasification applications as part of the
Government’s Integrated Rural Development Programme.
Preliminary results of these studies indicate that it is necessary to validate the
assumptions and modelling of some of these options through demonstration/ pilot
2

plants. The research and demonstration period for new technologies may take a
number of years to consider the long-term technical, operational and socioeconomic
aspects. A demonstration/ pilot plant would provide sufficient information
to make a decision on the commercial use of a technology.
The proposed PBMR DPP is one of these demonstrations. Other demonstration/pilot
plants either already in operation or in the feasibility planning stage include largescale
solar thermal technology, a wind demonstration facility, biomass gasification
and underground coal gasification.
While individual aspects of the technologies used in the PBMR DPP have already
been proven by various projects throughout the world, one of the purposes of this
project is to demonstrate the integration of these technologies, within the South
African energy mix.
The proposed activity consists of the construction, commissioning, operation and
maintenance and decommissioning of a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR)
Demonstration Power Plant (DPP) with a nominal thermal output of 400 MW(t).
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A comprehensive EIA has already been conducted for a similar project. The
following paragraphs provide information on the previous EIA, as well as on its
relationship to the current process.
The original intention of Eskom was to build a 302 MW(t) PBMR Demonstration Plant
on the Koeberg Site. An environmental impact assessment for this plant
commenced in 1999 when Eskom appointed a consortium of independent
consultants to perform the EIA. An extensive scoping and special study programme
was undertaken, including comprehensive public participation through numerous
interactions (focus group meetings, open days and public meetings), with periods for
comment being provided during the Scoping and EIA phases. This culminated in the
submission of the Final Environmental Impact Report to the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) in October 2002. The evaluation of the Final
EIR by DEAT and an International Review Panel appointed by DEAT was undertaken,
leading to the issuing of a positive Record of Decision by the DEAT Director-General
in June 2003.
Appeals against the Record of Decision were submitted to the DEAT Minister during
July and August 2003.
An application was brought before the Cape High Court on behalf of Earthlife Africa
(Cape Town) in September 2003 to have the Record of Decision issued by the DEAT
DG reviewed and set aside. The Court judgement was handed down in January
2005. In this judgement the Cape High Court ruled in favour of the application, set
aside the Record of Decision, and required the DEAT DG “ …. to afford the applicant
and other interested parties an opportunity of addressing further written submissions
3

to him along the lines as set out in this judgment and within such period as he may
determine and to consider such submissions before making a decision anew on the
second respondent’s application.”
Since the completion of this EIA, the decision was made to increase the power
output of the DPP from 302 MW(t) to 400 MW(t). This change in output requires that a
new EIA application process be launched.
All the environmental impacts of the 400 MW(t) PBMR DPP will be identified and
assessed. Information sourced during the “302 MW (t) PBMR EIA” will be considered
where relevant and appropriate. All relevant information will be included into the
scoping process.
All issues and comments raised during the public participation process will be noted,
incorporated into an issues and response register and incorporated into the scoping
report. This includes issues raised during meetings, in writing, telephonically or during
interviews and discussions. As indicated previously, I&APS will have an opportunity to
review the scoping report to verify the accuracy and completeness of the issues
raised by them.
3. THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY
The proposed PBMR DPP is a graphite moderated, helium cooled, nuclear reactor,
configured as an electricity generating power station. The PBMR DPP uses a direct
gas turbine cycle to convert the heat, generated by nuclear fission in the reactor
and transferred to the helium coolant, into electrical energy by means of a
horizontally configured turbo-generator.
Fuel for the proposed PBMR DPP would consist of spherical pebbles (approximately
60 mm in diameter) that contain Triso coated Uranium Oxide kernels (up to 10%
enriched), which are embedded in a pure graphite matrix.
Provision will be made to accommodate all spent fuel on the site for the 40 year
design life of the plant subject to statutory prescription. Radioactive waste
(excluding spent fuel) would be managed on site, and disposed of at the Vaalputs
repository, as in the case of the current Koeberg nuclear power plant and in
accordance with statutory prescription.
The proposed PBMR DPP will be connected to the Eskom national transmission
network within the Koeberg power station site.
A widening of a portion of the road to the Koeberg power station from the R27
turnoff, and the construction of the internal roads on the Koeberg power station site
for access to the PBMR DPP site are also proposed. The proposed PBMR DPP would to
a large extent make use of existing Koeberg infrastructure and services.
4

4. THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
PROCESS
Mawatsan is the appointed independent consultant to implement the EIA process.
The following sections provide more detailed information on this process.
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
In terms of the EIA regulations (Government Notice no's R1182,R1183 and R1184 of
1997 in terms of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act No. 73 of 1989), there
are a number of listed activities that could potentially have substantial detrimental
effects on the environment and which are required to be subjected to
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes.
The proposed 400 MW(t) PBMR Demonstration Power Plant includes activities that fall
within the ambit of the following listed activities:
Activity 1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(ii)
(d)
Activity 2.
(c)
The construction, erection or upgrading offacilities
for commercial electricity generation with an output of at least
10 megawatts and infrastructure for bulk supply;
nuclear reactors and facilities for the production, enrichment,
processing, reprocessing, storage or disposal of nuclear fuels and
wastes;
with regard to any substance which is dangerous or hazardous and is
controlled by national legislationmanufacturing,
storage, handling, treatment or processing facilities for
any such substance;
roads, railways, airfields and associated structures;
The change of land use fromagricultural
or zoned undetermined use or an equivalent zoning to any
other land use;
Activity 9. Scheduled processes listed in the Second Schedule to the Atmospheric
Pollution Prevention Act, 1965 (Act No. 45 of 1965):
29. Power generation processes: That is to say, processes in which-
(c)
any fuel burning appliance is used that is not controlled in terms of Part
III of this Act, excluding appliances in private dwellings. This activity is
related to the D-generator, which is used as an auxiliary source and for a short
term only. It is not related to the primary generation of electricity
5

4.2 THE STUDY AREA
The proposed PBMR DPP will be located at the Koeberg Power Station site in the
Western Cape. The Koeberg nuclear power station is situated north of Ouskip, Van
Riebeeckstrand and Melkbosstrand and to the east of the R27 on the farm
Duynefontein 34. The site is located about 2.0 km from the Duynefontein residential
area, 30 km north of Cape Town and 10 km south of Atlantis. The proposed PBMR
DPP site will be situated within the existing Access Control 1 security fence of the
Koeberg nuclear power station site. It will therefore be on land currently used for
nuclear power generation.
Koeberg
power station
6

Locality of Koeberg power station site and the approximate location
of the proposed PBMR DPP on the site
Koeberg
power station
site
Approximate
location of the
proposed
PBMR DPP
7

5. THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
A comprehensive public participation process will be implemented during the
Scoping and EIA phases of the project. The focus will be on informing Interested and
affected parties (I&APs) of the proposed development and of the significant
differences between the 302 MW(t) and 400 MW(t) PBMR DPPs. Issues and
comments raised during the previous public participation process will be collated
and incorporated into the Scoping and EIA phases of the current process.
5.1 AIMS OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
Mawatsan will be responsible for the Public Participation Process. The Public
Participation Process is structured to:
Enable early involvement of l&APs in the environmental assessment process
through a variety of mechanisms, adapted as required in response to issues,
concerns and challenges. This involvement will be ongoing until a decision is
reached by the authorities;
Provide l&APs with ongoing information regarding the proposed project and
related impacts;
Ensure continuous transparency and informed decision-making;
Promote communication with l&APs;
Ensure that the l&APs' viewpoints are addressed and considered by the
regulating authorities; and
Facilitate a constructive process that enables l&APs and stakeholders such as
the authorities, project proponents and specialists to work together to enhance
the positive benefits of the project and limit the negative impacts associated
with the project.
5.2 COMPONENTS OF THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS
The public participation process will consist of the following activities:
Notification of I&APs regarding the EIA process, consultation activities and
availability of reports and decisions by the authorities, using a variety of
mechanisms.
Interviews with a variety of I&APs in respect of the PBMR demonstration plant.
Focus Group Meetings with relevant sectoral groups (groups of role-players with
similar interests, such as the business sector, tourism, agriculture, local
government, etc.).
8

Public Meetings that will be widely advertised. These will provide I&APs with
information and opportunities to record concerns, issues and suggestions, as
well as to identify other I&APs.
A web-site (www.pbmr-eia.co.za) is available. This containing relevant
project documentation, links to appropriate documentation as well as an
opportunity to make comments and register as I&APs.
5.3 WHY IS YOUR PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT?
Everyone has the right to be involved in decisions that may affect their lives.
Participation by Interested and Affected Parties is in everyone's best interest
because:
It provides opportunities for l&APs and the authorities to obtain clear,
accurate and understandable information about the proposed project;
It provides members of the public with the opportunity to provide comments
(both positive and negative) regarding the environmental impacts of the
proposed project;
It provides affected parties with the opportunity to suggest ways for reducing
or mitigating any negative impacts of the project, or for enhancing its
benefits;
It will enable the project proponent to incorporate the needs, preferences
and values of I&APs into their decisions;
It contributes toward maintaining a healthy, vibrant democracy.
5.4 REGISTERING AS AN INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTY
In order to register as an I&AP you are requested to:-
Respond to the relevant newspaper advertisements,
Complete and submit the registration sheet included in the Background
Information Document;
Attend public events; and
Provide Mawatsan with your contact details.
As a registered I&AP you are entitled to be informed about public events and to
receive project documentation, and to be afforded the opportunity to comment
and raise issues and concerns throughout the process. You will also receive
notifications to inform you of the availability of the Scoping and EIR report and the
opportunity to comment thereon.
On completion of the environmental specialist studies, the Draft Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) will be compiled and made available for public comment. All
9

egistered I&APs will be informed of the availability of this document and the public
meetings to discuss the draft EIR.
If you consider yourself an I&AP for the proposed project, we urge you to make use
of the opportunities created by the Public Participation Process to become
involved.
5.5 PUBLIC MEETING
A number of Public Meetings are scheduled to introduce the proposed project to
l&APs. These events are as follows:
Milneron 9 November 2005 Milnerton Sport Centre at 18h30
Atlantis 10 November 2005: Hartebesskraal Multi Purpose Centre at
18h30
Midrand 15 November 2005 Eskom Convention Centre at 18h30
Durban 17 November 2005 Durban Exhibition Centre at 18h30
The main aim of the public meeting is to provide l&APs with more information on the
proposed project and to explain the process to be followed, note their issues and
concerns and answer questions.
We invite you to attend the public meetings to ensure that you are kept informed of
the project and that your issues and concerns can be formally recorded and
addressed.
10

6. REGISTRATION SHEET
Please complete this form and return it to:
Mawatsan:
Ms. Mathilda du Preez
Tel: 012 362 2908
Fax: 012 362 2463
PO Box 13540, Hatfield, 0028
pbmr@mawatsan.co.za
www.pbmr-eia.co.za
PERSONAL DETAILS
Title: _______ Initials: _______ Surname: ___________________________________________
Organisation/ Firm (if applicable): ______________________________________________
Position/ Nature of involvement (e.g. property owner): ___________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Street address:
Postal address:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Tel and area code:
Home:
Fax:
Work:
Cell:
E-mail:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
COMMENTS / QUESTIONS
1. What potential impacts do you foresee?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
11

2. What issues and concerns would you like to raise with regard to these anticipated
impacts?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. Are there any role-players that you feel we should consult with (please state their
names a contact details)?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
12