Koeberg Nuclear Unit Shutdown Tightens South Africa's Power Supply

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--South Africa's state-owned power utility Eskom has to tread carefully to maintain a secure power supply to the country's domestic users, commerce and industry. Mandatory maintenance shutdowns of power generators and late deliveries of new power projects has led to calls for new management measures, with power rationing for some high-end industrial users.

The utility said that the national power supply is expected to be particularly tight for the next two weeks, until two coal-fired generators return to service from maintenance shutdowns. This follows the shutdown of Unit 1 at the Koeberg nuclear power station in the Cape for a rescheduled refueling, inspection and maintenance outage. Unit 2 will continue to operate at full power. Unit 1 is expected to return to service in the fourth week of December.

Routine maintenance and refueling shutdowns take place every 16 to 18 months at Koeberg, as the schedule avoids the winter months and prevents having both units out of service at the same time.

Eskom is expected to take a number of generator units offline for the summer season, which puts a strain on the grid supply, but supply is expected to be maintained throughout the country. Eskom runs info spots on national TV channels giving the status of the system at any given time with appeals, especially in the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. slot, to turn off inessential power use.

"The power system remains tight and balancing demand is a daily challenge," Eskom says.

For related information, see October 21, 2013, article - Nuclear Heavyweights Compete for South Africa's $250 Million Koeberg Re-fit.

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