Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Whether his Department is monitoring the compliance of Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station with the relevant nuclear regulations; if so, what is the position regarding the licencing and construction of the expansion of the spent-fuel pools which were expected to be filled to capacity by October 2018?
The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) in the Department of Local government does not have any oversight authority on the licensing and construction of the spent – fuel pools. The mandate of the PDMC is limited to the monitoring of the risk reduction and contingency plans.
The National Nuclear regulator has an oversight and monitoring role in terms of regulations. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is the lead department in terms of nuclear planning and preparedness. Eskom, City of Cape Town and provincial disaster management have preparedness and response plans in place to deal with nuclear incidents. These plans are tested biennially through a national nuclear regulator exercise and annually through a station exercise. There are quarterly emergency preparedness steering oversight committee meetings which is chaired by Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning DEA&DP, is represented on the quarterly Emergency Preparedness Steering Oversight Committee meetings (EPSOC) as chaired by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. WCDMC has not consulted with other departments with regards to licensing and construction of the expansion of the spent-fuel pools, as the consultation for nuclear related issues will take place in EPSOC and/or by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
In addition, there is an established Emergency Preparedness Committee which is chaired by City of Cape Town which reports to EPSOC. The DEA&DP are also represented on this committee.
