NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 1097
Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
1) Whether she has been informed of the annual World Association of
Nuclear Operations (WANO) report on safety and security
management of various nuclear power plants around the world; if
so,
2) Whether she will make the reports available with regard to the
Koeberg Power Station for the past 10 years; if not, why not; if
so, when;
3) Whether the reports have been found to be satisfactory; if not,
which aspects are of concern; if so, what are the relevant
details? NW1219E
REPLY
1) My department is aware that WANO issues reports regularly. WANO
is a voluntary organisation of the Worldsâ Nuclear Power Plant
Operators.
2) Eskom is a member of WANO and is under no obligation to submit
the reports to the Minister of Energy. The aim of WANO is to
maximise the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants
worldwide by working together to assess, benchmark and improve
performance through mutual support, exchange of information and
emulation of best practices. WANO is not only focussed on safety
and does not purport to replace regulators.
3) The Parliament of South Africa established the National Nuclear
Regulator of South Africa, which is the regulator that informs
the Minister and the public of South Africa about safety matters
of Koeberg. The NNR submits annual reports and these are duly
tabled in Parliament. It is the reports of this regulator that
can pronounce on the safety matters at Koeberg Power Station.
The NNR reports have in the main found safety situation at
Koeberg to be acceptable.