Eskom’s Koeberg nuclear power plant.
- The last steam generator destined for Koeberg Unit 2 is expected to arrive on site next weekend.
- Koeberg Unit 1 is currently in a scheduled shutdown and its steam generators will be installed.
- One of the steam generators was dropped at a factory in China, but Eskom previously said all necessary repairs have been completed.
- For more financial news, go to News24 Business Cover.
The last steam generator required for the extension of the life of the Koeberg nuclear power plant is on its way to the site.
Eskom, in an emailed response to News24, said the steam generator is expected to arrive at the power station on the west coast by the end of the weekend.
“The last steam generators (sic) required for the Unit 2 outage, which begins in October 2023, are currently in transit to the Koeberg site, expected to be on site by the end of the weekend. Eskom said. .
Unit 1 is currently on a scheduled shutdown for maintenance and refueling, as well as replacement of its steam generators. The three steam generators required for Unit 1 have been on site for a few months and have been prepared for installation.
The outage at Unit 1 is expected to last just over 180 days or about six months.
Koeberg will reach the end of its design life in 2024. But Eskom has petitioned the National Nuclear Regulator to extend the plant’s life by another 20 years. To keep the power plant running, certain modifications and safety requirements must be implemented. This includes the replacement of six steam generators.
READ | Eskom struggles to save R5bn’s Koeberg project after steam generator ‘crashes’ in China
Earlier this year, the replacement of the steam generator in Unit 2 was postponed because the facility was not ready to carry out the program.
There were concerns that the steam generator replacement program in Unit 1 would be similarly delayed. But Eskom has ensured that the facilities are ready and that the programs are scheduled “at this time.”
News24 previously reported that a steam generator originally intended for Unit 1 at Koeberg had gone down at a factory in China. At a press conference in September, Eskom officials assured that the steam generator had received the required repairs and was ready for use.
Five steam generators had already been delivered to South Africa by September.
Operations Director Jan Oberholzer also indicated that a steam generator destined for Unit 2 was identified for installation in Unit 1.
Earlier this month, Eskom briefly pushed back the scheduled Unit 1 outage to December 10 to allow the grid to stabilize amid the Stage 6 load outage.
Both units at Koeberg have a capacity of 920MW.
Now, with the blackout ongoing, Eskom said the extended blackout would affect electricity supply.
“This will be the 26th refueling outage at Unit 1 since commissioning and will also see the replacement of the unit’s three steam generators as part of the power plant’s long-term operation programme. The head of the The reactor pressure vessel in this unit was replaced several times years ago,” Eskom said in an earlier statement.
Eskom’s outgoing CEO André de Ruyter told Parliament in September that the steam generator replacement program at the nuclear plant was “poorly managed” and that disciplinary action had been taken against the employees concerned.
Eskom will publish its annual results for the year ending March 2022 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the South Africans are experiencing Stage 4 load shedding.
