Page 7 - AfrElec Week 01 2021
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AfrElec ESKOM AfrElec
Eskom takes Koeberg reactor offline,
prompting more load-shedding
SOUTH AFRICA ESKOM has closed Unit One at its 1,800-MW reserve, it might be slightly short only at certain
Koeberg nuclear power plant (NPP) after leaks peaks in the week.
were found in one of the steam generators. It can use pumped storage schemes, gas-
The shutdown of the 900-MW reactor hap- fired OCGTs and IPP diesel/gas peaking plants
pened ahead of a scheduled maintenance closure to plug the gaps, but there will be concerns that
in February, and Eskom said that the unit would load-shedding could return.
return to full service by May 2021. Eskom said on January 6 that Stage 2
The closure threatens Eskom’s ability to meet load-shedding would be implemented on Janu-
demand in Western Cape during the summer ary 6 and 7.
months with 900 MW offline, especially during “The load-shedding is necessary to recover
the evening peak. and preserve the emergency generation reserves
The company is meeting demand by using utilised to support the system during the week
pumped storage schemes, which are designed following the earlier-than-planned shutdown
for peak periods, for baseload power generation of Koeberg unit 1 and other units, whose return
as well. to service has been delayed,” the utility said in a
Eskom data showed that on January 3 statement.
pumped storage provided 500 MW-1,800 MW Eskom said that 6,672 MW of power gen-
during the day, before jumping to 2,071 MW eration capacity, equivalent to two large power
when Koeberg 1 was taken offline at 7 pm. stations, is offline for planned maintenance.
Even though power demand is historically Another 12,073 MW of capacity is unavailable
low because of the current lockdown, Eskom due to unplanned maintenance.
was forced to implement Stage 2 load-shedding Eskom’s installed power generation capacity
overnight. is 40,000 MW, excluding the Medupi and Kusile
It said this was to “preserve its emergency power plants.
generation reserves”. The utility said the system remains vulnerable
Before the forced Koeberg outage, Eskom’s and unpredictable and has urged the public to
official three-month outlook looked managea- reduce electricity consumption to help it mini-
ble. In its planned risk level, with unplanned out- mise load-shedding.
ages of 12,000 MW plus a 2,200-MW operating
Week 01 07•January•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P7
