(3 minutes read)
· South Africa’s sole nuclear power plant under the purview of Eskom was shut down after a steam generator leak from one of its two units
· The plant has a generation capacity of 1,800-megawatt
· The country, because of demand outstripping supply, has been resorting to power rationing across major cities since 2008
South Africa’s sole nuclear power plant under the purview of Eskom was shut down after a steam generator leak from one of its two units. The plant has a generation capacity of 1,800-megawatt. The leak was detected at one of three generators of the Unit-1 of the nuclear plant. Eskom, in any way, was scheduling to shutdown the units for the mandatory maintenance from on Feb. 8.
The shutdown may continue till May, affecting the already strained power supply in the country. Analysts say that it would be very difficult for Eskom to meet power demand especially when the electricity demand is gradually peaking to the pre-Covid -19 days on account of opening of more number of industrial units after intense lockdown in previous months. South Africa depends on Eskom for almost all power requirements. The country, because of demand outstripping supply, has been resorting to power rationing across major cities since 2008. Power cuts were rampant last year in the country affecting its industrial production.
Since replacement of the steam generator will take time, efforts will be made to repair the faulty equipment, said Eskom authorities. The slippages in electricity generation in Eskom are mostly on account of the dilapidated plants and machines, which should have been replaced from time to time. Beleaguered by lack of finance and mounting debts, Eskom is being bailed out by the state from time to time. Efforts to restructure the working of the plant are being resisted by the trade unions and certain sections of the political classes.
