Frequently Asked Questions.

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a plan that aims to determine an optimal energy mix to power the South African economy in the medium to long-term. The IRP’s main purpose is to consider multiple policy objectives, namely, security of supply, energy affordability, and global & local emissions reduction.  It is a living plan that is expected to be reviewed regularly when circumstances in the electricity sector and economy materially change.

The Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) considers all energy carriers, all technology options and all key national policy imperatives and proposes an energy mix and policy recommendations which ensures that the energy sector can help achieve these in the most optimal manner. It also considers the national supply and demand balance and proposes alternative capacity expansion plans based on varying sets of assumptions and constraints. The IEP aims to guide future energy infrastructure investments, identify and recommend policy development to shape the future energy landscape of the country. The IEP focuses on determining final demand for all forms energy and the cross linkages of different energy carriers to meet those energy needs across different sectors.
Molecules (specifically water and coolant compounds) transfer heat from nuclear fission into electricity. Koeberg Nuclear Power Station uses pressurized water to absorb heat from split uranium atoms and turn it into high-pressure steam.
Radioactivity involves unstable atoms releasing energy or particles, which are managed through thick physical barriers and strict safety systems so they do not harm workers or the public.

Airborne emissions are gases and tiny solid particles released into the air when burning coal to make electricity.

Photovoltaic-Thermal (PV-T) refers to a hybrid solar unit that generates both electricity and heat. A technology that combines standard electricity-generating solar cells (photovoltaics) with a heat-collection system (solar thermal) into a single panel. It simultaneously converts sunlight into usable electricity and captures excess heat to warm water or air.
A Portable Ventilation Unit (PVU) at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is a mobile air-filtration device used during maintenance inside the containment building. It connects to sealed tents surrounding radioactive equipment such as steam generators, keeping the workspace under negative pressure to trap and clean airborne radioactive particles.
Radiation is

the energy that travels from one place to another, it can’t be seen or felt but it is around us.   For example: radiation from microwaves when we warm our food, it can be found in stars and sunlight.

Nuclear Energy is the energy that comes from splitting the atoms.

An atom is the tiny building block that makes up everything in the world. The atom is made up of a centre called nucleus containing the neutron which does not have any charge and proton which are positively charged. The electrons which are negatively charged are moving around the outer part.

 
 

Green hydrogen is a clean energy carrier produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. The process uses electricity generated entirely from renewable sources like wind or solar, resulting in zero harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

A radiation alarm refers to highly sensitive internal monitoring equipment triggering an alert when detecting localized, minor increases in airborne radioactivity. These alarms are confined entirely within controlled plant structures, such as containment buildings during scheduled maintenance, and pose no risk to the public.