Johnathan Paoli
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has confirmed that approximately 3 000 megawatts of electricity is expected to be restored to the country’s national energy grid this year in order to assist in easing the levels of power outages.
Ramokgopa said during his visit to the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in Cape Town on Tuesday that he was confident that the recent delays in replacing Unit 1’s steam generators would be avoided.
The minister’s visit follows the replacement process of Unit 2’s steam generators after the completion of Unit 1’s generators last year.
Ramokgopa said the replacement formed part of the requirements for the National Nuclear Regulator to consider the extension of life of the reactor units, which are due to reach their 40 year lifespan during this year and next year
“Unit One now is operating at 100% capacity and as I have mentioned before as a result of the refurbishment and extension of life we were able to get an additional 27 megawatts over and above what was the initial licence, so that’s a positive thing,” the minister said.
Koeberg Power Station manager Velaphi Ntuli said the station intended to implement new methods of dealing with challenges surrounding planning and equipment.
“What we have beefed up is our response to equipment challenges as we go up so there are fewer numbers of equipment challenges because the systems have been out for a long period of time then you put a system in service you pick up leaks,” Ntuli said.
The minister is expected to conduct another oversight visit to the Palmiet Power Station in the province, in line with the implementation of the Energy Action Plan (EAP) which aims to end the severity of load shedding and create sustainable energy security.
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