No load shedding expected despite Koeberg Unit 1 delay

THE delayed return of Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s Unit 1 is not anticipated to increase the risk of load shedding, Eskom said.

- STAFF REPORTER

Currently offline for the second phase of its long-term operational maintenance programme, Unit 1 was initially expected to return to service by July, but is now expected to be operational by the end of August.

As part of the scheduled maintenance, an essential nondestructive testing method showed defects in four tubes across two of the newly installed steam generators.

Eskom said it deployed an advanced automated process to rectify the identified issues, with specialised international teams working in tandem with local experts to ensure the repairs met global safety and quality standards.

In addition to the tube repairs, the maintenance activities included the legally mandated 10-year Integrated Leak Rate Test (ILRT).