South Africa nuclear plant workers exposed to radiation

Several workers have been exposed to radiation in three incidents in recent weeks during maintenance work at South Africa’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told a media briefing.

Ramokgopa said that the incidents were limited, no radioactive material was released into the environment, and there was no danger to the surrounding communities.

The incidents at the power plant, located about 30 kilometers north of Cape Town, occurred on June 30 and July 2 and 7.

According to the minister, this was due to a temporary power outage that disrupted the facility’s ventilation systems.

He said the radiation doses received were lower than the radiation doses received from a routine dental X-ray.

Velaphi Ntuli, head of the country’s nuclear safety department, said the incidents did not meet the threshold for reportable nuclear safety incidents.

The government says nuclear energy will continue to play an important role in South Africa’s future energy mix.

The country plans to add 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear generating capacity by 2039, despite public concerns about its expansion plans.

South Africa has been struggling with severe power outages and rolling blackouts in recent years.

The government sees nuclear power as an important component of creating a more reliable electricity supply.

South Africa’s electricity generation remains largely dependent on coal.

The government’s long-term goal is to produce most of the country’s electricity without fossil fuels by 2050.