'Technical fault' shuts down Koeberg unit
22 July 2008, 08:09
Eskom carried out a "controlled shutdown" of Unit 2 at the Koeberg nuclear power station on Monday night because of a technical fault in the electricity generating side.
Unplanned maintenance work had to start on Monday night.
"Due to stringent safety requirements, the shutting-down procedure, repairs and restarting procedure will take about three weeks," Eskom said.
Everything possible would be done to compensate for the increased vulnerability of the power system during the shutdown, Eskom said, including the use of the two gas-turbine power stations.
"We ask to all South Africans to conserve electricity during this period. A concerted effort to decrease consumption will reduce the risk of load-shedding (blackouts)."
The nuclear reactor was not been affected and "will be kept in a safe and stable condition in line with the operating procedures of the station".
Unplanned maintenance work had to start on Monday night.
"Due to stringent safety requirements, the shutting-down procedure, repairs and restarting procedure will take about three weeks," Eskom said.
Everything possible would be done to compensate for the increased vulnerability of the power system during the shutdown, Eskom said, including the use of the two gas-turbine power stations.
"We ask to all South Africans to conserve electricity during this period. A concerted effort to decrease consumption will reduce the risk of load-shedding (blackouts)."
The nuclear reactor was not been affected and "will be kept in a safe and stable condition in line with the operating procedures of the station".
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on July 22, 2008
Pretoria
