Eskom has provided a positive update on the maintenance work at the Koeberg nuclear power station’s unit two generator, claiming that it is on track to be reconnected to the grid by the end of September this year.
This unit was taken offline on 11 December last year for a steam generator replacement, a critical procedure performed on unit one between December 2022 and November 2023.
This maintenance is crucial for extending Koeberg’s operational life beyond its initial 40-year design, with Eskom aiming for a 20-year extension.
The work on unit two is expected to be completed more efficiently, in just under ten months, compared to the time taken for unit one, thanks to lessons learned from previous challenges.
Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasised the importance of sticking to the schedule for unit two’s maintenance, MyBroadband reported.
Despite the progress, the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) has ordered additional outages for both units to inspect concrete containment structures showing signs of wear.
This means Koeberg will not operate at full capacity, with its two units contributing over 1,800MW when fully functional, for the next few years.
Pictured above: Koeberg power station.
Image source: Eskom
