The article was retracted by SAnews on August 26, stating that: “[The] content is not reflective of the current situation at Koeberg. We apologise for the error.”

Read here: Retraction: Eskom plans to return Koeberg to service in November

Eskom’s generation capacity is expected to receive a welcome boost when two units at Koeberg Power Station return to service in November.

Units 1 and 2 at the Western Cape power station are expected to return to service on November 3 and 7 and boost the power grid with 1 860MW.

The two units have been offline on a planned refuelling and maintenance outage since late last year.

The maintenance project was to increase efficiency and add 27MW to the nuclear power station’s output.

Eskom says the replacement of steam generators was a complex nuclear project and the first of its kind to be performed at Koeberg. It was the last three components of the Long-Term Operation (LTO) project.

In previous years, the other components of the LTO, namely replacing refuelling water storage tanks and reactor vessel closure heads, were replaced.

Eskom is applying for Koeberg’s lifespan to be extended by another 20 years.

The power utility says the delay in returning the two units to service will not influence its application.

Eskom says the power station’s conservative design, the continuous improvement of safety standards and rigorous maintenance and testing over its operating lifespan merits the decision to apply for the extended licence. – SAnews.gov.za