COMPANY PROFILE
2014
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation
The driving force behind nuclear development
company profile
The driving force behind nuclear development Editorial: Tim Hands Production: Chris Bolderstone At a time when, more than ever, energy demand in South Africa is on the continual increase, nuclear power is the subject of intense focus. The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) is the state-owned company charged with driving the research and development centred on harnessing its potential, but also with allaying public fears around what is, historically, a much-misunderstood concept. Necsa realises, along with many other eminent individuals in the field, that these developments must be undertaken as quickly as possible in order for the country to benefit most fully from such a prominent industry.
With its primary functions being to undertake and promote research and development in all things nuclear technology-related, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation plays an important role in what is becoming an ever-more urgent desire to fully exploit the potential of nuclear power in South Africa. Its home remains the Pelindaba site, just 30 km west of Pretoria, selected in 1959 when it was decided that the country’s nuclear research and development would be conducted by the company, then known as the Atomic Energy Board. Skip forward to 1999 and Necsa’s existence was brought about by the restructuring of what had come to be known in the intervening years as the Atomic Energy Corporation, coupled with a new mandate to which it remains true today. Alongside its central focus on research and development surrounding the peaceful implementation of nuclear processes, Necsa is also concerned with the processing, reprocessing and enriching of source material, and working with the various individuals and organisations falling within this bracket of operation. The presence of its sizeable uranium reserves and the extensive mining industry around this primary energy source
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help to make South Africa one of the world’s foremost producers of the element. At present, the country has two nuclear reactors which serve to generate 6% of its electricity, with the first of these having begun operations in 1984. The necessity to depart from a previously heavy reliance on coal, due largely to the abundant coal deposits in the north-east of the country, centre around concerns over price increases, exhaustion of reserves and global warming. This is where Necsa’s vast range of responsibilities within the field makes it absolutely pivotal to the country’s quest to fully exploit its nuclear possibilities. Working from three regulatory frameworks, the company’s primary function is to serve as the central force behind nuclear energy research, development and innovation in South Africa. A particular focus of this is on applications relating to medical isotopes production – it is in fact the main supplier of medical radioisotopes in Africa, through the Safari 1 research reactor, and can supply up to 25% of the world’s molybdenum-99 needs. Necsa is heavily involved in all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, in particular decommissioning and decontamination of previous strategic nuclear facilities, and management of nuclear waste disposal on a national scale. Necsa is also governed by the provisions of the Nuclear
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation
Energy Policy of 2008, which directs the organisation to develop viable nuclear fuel cycle operations for South Africa. This is something which has become increasingly important in light of the energy crisis faced by the country, and an area where Necsa continues to play a key role in using its experience and expertise to advise on the nuclear new-build programme for South Africa. A period in early 2008 illustrated neatly the sharp rise in South Africa’s energy needs, with the country’s demand for power coming dangerously near to its total installed net capacity. With this in mind, a budget speech in May 2011 saw the Energy Minister, Ben Martins, affirming that 22% of new generating capacity by 2030 would be nuclear, with Necsa allocated R586 million in its pivotal role in research, development and innovation around nuclear energy in its quest to provide solutions to the energy demands.
NUCLEAR AFRICA 2014 The Nuclear Africa 2014 Conference sought to project an image of the future of nuclear power in South Africa, with a view to bringing all parties involved into productive interaction in an open and transparent manner. It was hosted by Nuclear Africa (Pty) Ltd, a nuclear
project management company operating out of Pretoria, which is fully involved in all areas relating to nuclear manufacturing. A primary goal of Nuclear Africa is to allay the continuing public fears which surround this form of energy, and promote what is in reality both a reliable and a cost-effective form of energy production. It is without doubt a complex form of power, and so it is important that the public is exposed to an accurate portrayal of the progress in nuclear power development in South Africa. Speaking at the event Ben Martins stated South Africa’s objective to be, “self-sufficient in all aspects of the nuclear chain.” This would include uranium mining, enrichment, nuclear fuel manufacture as well as the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. It became apparent from his speech that specific details of the nuclear build programme in South Africa were imminent, with Martins also urging the development of local nuclear skills and research and development, as, “localisation will result in opportunities for local industry.” Clearly an industry full of potential throughout the economy, these were encouraging words from the Minister of Energy, intimating that there is much to
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company profile
be gained from fully engaging with the development of nuclear power. The Nuclear Africa Conference also looked to bring together a significant cross section of nuclear power players to engender professional interaction, and strengthen technological and economic exchange concerning the construction of the new nuclear power plants for South Africa. Martins himself stated the importance of companies developing these connections internationally, in order that, “when the [nuclear] rollout is announced and commences, there will be vibrant partnerships between South Africans and international role-players.” This universal approach is something Des Muller, Director at Group Five Nuclear Construction Services, spoke of at the Nuclear Forum in February; “the United Kingdom probably would be a good example of this level of multilateral engagement where the private and public sectors are working closely together to put through various skills development programmes, working through universities, through various organisations. That is something South Africa is considering and needs to start embracing.” Development of both working relationships and of skills throughout the country’s workforce came to be a central theme of the important and revelatory information conveyed at the Conference. However, as is becoming quickly apparent, this potential that nuclear clearly offers needs to be made a reality. Necsa CEO, Phumzile Tshelane was on hand at the summit to detail the need of a more immediate approach in promoting the expansion of nuclear energy in South Africa. Tshelane embodied the drive and ambition behind his company’s continual quest for development, affirming that, “we need to talk about nuclear today. Let’s talk about it differently, with action plans in mind.” He expressed frustration at a process which does not echo the need expressed by various individuals for rapid action, compounded further by the revisions being made to the 2010 Integrated Resource Plan – which will provide for the targeted 9600MW of nuclear power; “What is it that drives South Africans not to make these decisions, or to be slow to make these decisions?” he queried. The danger South Africa of course faces in this respect, is that these frequent delays in making decisions and committing to projects will lead to other countries emerging and overtaking South Africa in this field. With the experience and expertise on offer from Necsa, which has already proven itself more than capable of undertaking significant projects of this type with its manufacturing of
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fuel for Koeberg and the Safari Research reactor, South Africa has the capability to have a full value chain of nuclear energy. Martins has previously stated exactly this, in his address at the regional forum for the South African nuclear industry Atomex Africa in February. He affirmed that the government is committed to becoming globally competitive in the nuclear sector, citing the three key facets guiding the government as localisation, skills transfer and job creation. The engagement within the sector will do much more than merely serve to meet the country’s increasing energy demands, however - Martins describes the “new vistas of career opportunities,” which will be opened up to South Africa’s pupils and students, with a continual focus on creating a better life for its people. The concept of this field having such diverse and far-reaching benefits is a sentiment echoed entirely
“We need to talk about nuclear today. Let’s talk about it differently, with action plans in mind” by Necsa’s Nurad division acting group executive Ayanda Myoli. The development of the country’s nuclear ambitions would see the expansion of industries stretching from agriculture and food to medical and manufacturing. With the nuclear industry currently responsible for around 3000 direct jobs, the nuclear build programme would add in the region of 27,000 jobs to the economy during the construction of the first four of six planned reactor units, leading towards the country’s proposed future energy mix, containing 9.6GW of nuclear energy by 2030. Again though, with a construction time of about five to ten years, Myoli stresses that the country has to fast track the building of nuclear reactors in order to fulfil the promise of nuclear spoken of so frequently and so highly. The US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman affirmed the, “great opportunities,” in nuclear power, and a, “burgeoning relationship,” with South Africa which could see the two countries working together in the sector. So many experienced, eminent individuals and groups are extolling the virtues of nuclear, and with Necsa as the driving force behind its research, development and innovation, South Africa could not be better placed to commit a future in which nuclear power plays a huge part.
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Necsa
ERMETO
Specialised valves for use with hazardous, toxic and flammable fluids
Size:DN40 Pressure:PN25 For Tanks and Iso containers Field of Application
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Transportation of liquefied gases: • Chlorine (CL2) • Hydrofluoric acid (HF) • SO2 Filling up and draining of tanks or iso containers
Features
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Ease of handling (manual version) If the external valve ruptures accidentally, the internal valve stays closed Strong construction Stellited seat Compressed-air controlled valve
Size:DN08 Pressure:PN300 Security valve with dual closure Field of Application
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For cylinders and drums
Features
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TRADE
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Ease of handling (manual version) The dual closure provides a high level of safety during transport Ease of handling Working pressure up to 300 bar High flow rate TPED approved Fluids: CL2, BF3, HF, HCl, SO2, NH3, etc.
ADDRESS : CAPE TOWN OFFICE
GAUTENG OFFICE
La Belle Rd Stikland 7530 P.O. Box 4207 Old Oak 7537 SOUTH AFRICA Tel : (021) 910 0804/5 Fax : (021) 910 0806
9 Moller Street Industries East Germiston South 1401 SOUTH AFRICA Tel : (011) 872 2379 Fax : (011) 872 1476
entrade@iafrica.com
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www.necsa.co.za +27 12 305 4911
(0)1603 618 000 info@industrysa.com East Coast Promotions Ltd, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street. Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4QB