- After 27 years in the service of Eskom, Riedewaan Barkadien, the Chief Nuclear Officer, has tendered his resignation and will be departing from Eskom on 31 July 2022 to join a Canadian nuclear utility in an executive position.
- Mr Barkadien resigned earlier this year and is serving his notice period in terms of his employment contract.
- The ageing nuclear power station is currently undergoing a life extension programme which many argue poses significant risks. Read more
Keith Featherstone, a long-standing nuclear executive, with over 30 years of nuclear experience, as well as a previous Koeberg Power Station Manager, will be acting in the Chief Nuclear Officer role while the recruitment process is underway.
South Africa’s Koeberg nuclear power plant is made up of 2 x 930MW units. Image credit: Bjorn Rudner
“As the only nuclear power station in Africa, we have all played a role in keeping the plant safe, and the best place to work. The decision to resign was, therefore, by no means an easy decision,” said Barkadien.
Related news: Eskom defers steam generator replacement at Unit 2 Koeberg Nuclear Power Sation
The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) in Atlanta in the United States of America has selected the current acting Koeberg Power Station General Manager (PSGM), Nomawethu Mtwebana, to join as a reverse loanee for the next year. Ms Mtwebana will be leaving shortly after the completion of the current outage of Unit 2 in July.
She will be a peer reviewer, reviewing performance at various plants in the United States during her time at WANO. Ms Mtwebana will then bring this learning experience back to Koeberg.
Related news: South Africa’s nuclear regulator CEO resigns amid much controversy
Mahesh Valaitham, a long-standing Senior Manager with over 27 years of nuclear power plant experience, will be filling the role of Koeberg PSGM in an acting capacity.
“I wish to assure the people of South Africa and fellow Guardians at Eskom that the organisation has access to sufficiently experienced and competent executive team to continue ensuring a safe and smooth operation at Africa’s only nuclear power station,” said Jan Oberholzer, Eskom’s Chief Operating Officer. Eskom’s intent is to fill both the Koeberg Power Station General Manager and the Chief Nuclear Officer positions as soon as possible.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
