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Steam generator leak shuts down Koeberg unit 1
Koeberg nuclear power station has taken its unit 1 offline after a leak in one of its three steam generators worsened. During this period the unit will also undergo its routine maintenance and refuelling, which was originally scheduled to start during February. The unit is expected to return to service during May 2021.
Koeberg nuclear power station
"The steam generator is a tubular heat exchanger which mechanically dries the steam produced during the nuclear power generation process. Shutting down the plant takes several hours, and the process is still underway – once shut down, fuel will be unloaded from the reactor core to enable maintenance activities to be conducted, and the cause of the increased leak rate to be addressed," Eskom said in a statement.
The steam generators are due to be replaced as part of plans to extend the lifespan of the nuclear power station.
There is no risk to plant, personnel, or the environment, and unit 2 continues to safely operate and generate at full power," the statement said.
It is unclear whether the unit shut down will increase the likelihood of load shedding.
