Koeberg shuts down one of its units

By Mikhaila Crowie
22 July 2008


Eskom had to shut down Unit Two at the Koeberg nuclear power station near Cape Town last night because of a technical problem in one of the generators.


Eskom spokesperson Tony Stott says maintenance work began last night. It will take about three weeks. “The cooling system of that generator was not working properly. Damage in it quite extensively and can no longer generate electricity into the network.”

Stott said once the unit is repaired, they will be able to restart it again.The power utility is doing everything in its power to make up for the loss of power supply, including the use of two gas turbine power stations.

Stott says if everyone helps to conserve electricity the risk of load shedding will be reduced.