Reference Case: Services for Nuclear Power Plant Licensing - South Africa

The South African National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is a public organization which is established and governed by the country’s National Nuclear Regulator Act. The NNR is responsible for granting nuclear authorizations and is considered a regulatory body for matters related to nuclear installations and nuclear power in South Africa.

As a new high-temperature reactor was to be built in a South African nuclear power plant, the NNR required support in the licensing process. Strong as a worldwide presence and steeped in experience in providing services for nuclear power plants – from planning and design to construction, operation and decommissioning – TÜV Rheinland appeared to NNR as a reliable partner for the project.

Our experts – in cooperation with a partner company from the United Kingdom - were to carry out analysis and evaluations during the design phase of the project directly on site in South Africa.

Founded more than 140 years ago, TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, ensuring quality and safety for people, the environment and technology in nearly all aspects of life.

We inspect technical equipment, products and services, oversee projects and help to shape processes for companies around the world. Since 2006, we have been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption.

We offer extensive energy sector experience, providing specialized solutions for all types of power plants –conventional, renewable and nuclear - from the early stages of authorization and construction all the way through to operation and decommissioning.

Our experts took care of the analysis and evaluation of the plant safety reports, including detailed assessments of the safety functions and systems in the facility. We further implemented the accompanying safety analyses, especially with regard to controlling incidents in the power station. Our experts also conducted regular checks of the power plant’s organization , as well as checks of the plant designer’s organization. As for the plant’s main suppliers, we evaluated manufacturers of major components such as the pressure tank, and conducted manufacturing process qualification. Furthermore, the TÜV Rheinland experts supervised the manufacturing of these same major components.

The NNR has been established to care for the protection of persons, property and the environment against nuclear damage through the establishment of regulatory practices and safety standards. With the support of TÜV Rheinland, the organization managed to fulfill its main objectives, and delivered a construction license for a new high-temperature reactor in compliance with the established safety guidelines. Upon completion of the entire licensing process and evaluation procedures, the NNR was able to deliver the construction permit to the applicant nuclear power plant.

Read more about our Services of Power Plants

TÜV Rheinland provided the South African National Nuclear Regulator with:

• Extensive experience in nuclear energy construction projects and safety issues.

• Independent and reliable evaluation and analysis services from the applicant and its main suppliers.

• All required assessment services from a single source.