Eskom has announced that Koeberg Unit 1 will now return to service by the end of August, instead of this month, due to additional steam generator maintenance.

The unit was initially expected back online in July, but Eskom said the revised timeline reflects its commitment to thorough inspections and the highest quality standards at South Africa’s only nuclear power station.

“During scheduled detailed eddy current inspections – a non-destructive testing method used to detect cracks, corrosion or wear in the metal tubes of steam generators – defects were identified on four tubes, among several thousand inspected, across two of the newly installed generators,” the power utility explained.

Specialised international and local teams immediately carried out advanced automated repairs on the four tubes. Eskom confirmed these repairs have been successfully completed to uphold stringent safety standards.

Major maintenance completed

Eskom said major maintenance work, including the legally required 10-year Integrated Leak Rate Test (ILRT), had been successfully completed. The ILRT pressurised the reactor building over 72 hours to confirm its structural integrity and leak-tightness in line with international standards.

Eskom group executive for generation Bheki Nxumalo emphasised: “The safety of employees, the public and the environment remains our top priority. Carrying out these additional inspections and repairs to world-class standards is an investment in the long-term reliability of Koeberg and South Africa’s energy future.”

No increased load-shedding risk

Eskom reassured that the delay will not increase the risk of load-shedding. Since mid-May, there has been no load-shedding, with only 26 hours of outages recorded between April 1 and Thursday.

“The winter outlook released on May 5 remains valid. Importantly, the planned return of 2 500MW this winter does not rely on Unit 1,” Eskom said.

Unit 2 remains fully operational, generating up to 946MW with a year-to-date Energy Availability Factor of 99.38% at the end of June. – SAnews.gov.za