Factors that impact project quality at a nuclear power plant in South Africa

The nuclear industry has established stringent controls to ensure that electricity is produced in a safe and reliable manner and as such, it is expected that a nuclear power plant is operated safely, adheres to nuclear codes and standards, specifications, processes and procedures and implements projects and modifications of a high quality indicating a successfully operated plant. Project quality is one aspect for which trade-offs are constantly made making adherence a continuing concern that can have far reaching consequences. This paper addresses the factors that impact project quality at a nuclear power station in South Africa. The paper focuses on plant modifications, interactions of numerous stakeholders, processed and procedures and demonstrates how these factors impact on project quality. Since the plant is ageing, modifications have become more complex hence all factors discussed in the paper need to be considered when implementing projects and modifications on the plant.