Why Did Eskom Quietly Shut Down 980MW Koeberg Unit?

Eskom has recently confirmed the shutdown of Koeberg’s Unit 1 generator on September 11, 2024, amidst ongoing issues with its operations. This decision was made while Unit 2 remains offline, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in public enterprise.

Energy expert Chris Yelland criticised Eskom and the National Nuclear Regulator for the lack of transparency surrounding the shutdown. The unit was taken offline due to a fault discovered during routine testing, yet the announcement came days after the shutdown occurred, highlighting a disregard for public interest.

Eskom defended its actions, stating that the shutdown was necessary to maintain safety and operational standards. Despite assurances that the outage would not affect load-shedding schedules, questions linger about the overall reliability of Koeberg’s ageing infrastructure.

Unit 1 had recently undergone extensive maintenance, including the replacement of steam generators, which was completed later than anticipated due to delays. This maintenance delay, coupled with ongoing operational challenges, underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in Eskom’s management of public resources.

Looking ahead, Unit 2 is slated for similar maintenance, with extended outages expected to test the station’s infrastructure further. Concerns about structural integrity have also been raised, prompting calls for stringent monitoring and oversight from regulatory bodies.

As South Africa grapples with ongoing energy challenges, the decision to operate nuclear facilities like Koeberg underlines the importance of clear communication and public trust in governmental and public enterprise decisions affecting national infrastructure.

Source: My Broadband