Cape town: Several workers at South Africa's Koeberg Nuclear Power Station were exposed to radiation during maintenance work in three incidents over recent weeks, Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told a media briefing on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

According to Nam News Network, Ramokgopa stated that the incidents had been contained, with no radioactive material released into the environment, ensuring there was never any danger to nearby communities. The incidents at the power plant, located about 30 kilometres north of Cape Town, occurred on June 30 and July 2 and 7.

The minister explained that the cause of these incidents was a temporary power outage that disrupted the plant's ventilation systems. He assured that the radiation doses received were lower than the exposure from a routine dental X-ray.

Velaphi Ntuli, head of the country's nuclear safety division, pointed out that the incidents did not meet the threshold for reportable nuclear safety events. Meanwhile, the government has reiterated that nuclear energy will continue to play a significant role in South Africa's future energy mix.

South Africa plans to expand its nuclear generating capacity by 5.2 gigawatts (GW) by 2039, despite public concerns over the expansion plans. The country has been grappling with severe electricity shortages and rolling blackouts in recent years, and the government views nuclear power as a crucial element in developing a more reliable electricity supply.

Currently, South Africa's electricity generation heavily relies on coal. However, the government's long-term goal is to generate the majority of the country's electricity without fossil fuels by 2050.