More blackouts possible: Eskom
2006-02-21 21:53
Cape Town - Eskom backed away on Tuesday from assurances given the day before that the power supply to the Western Cape would be fully restored by mid-week.
The assurance was given by Eskom chief executive Thulani Gcabashe during a meeting with the minerals and energy as well as public enterprises departments to discuss the recent power failures.
But, a statement on Tuesday said compliance with technical regulations would delay the restoration of power until later this week.
Spokesperson Tony Stott said: "The nature of a nuclear reactor is such that a very rigorous process must be followed in returning a unit to service.
"All technical parameters have to be within specification at every step of the process. This is done to ensure safe operation."
Delayed until specifications met
The statement added that if specifications were not met, returning the reactor to service had to be delayed until such time as they were all met.
"Assurance must also be given to the national nuclear regulator that all parameters are within the requirements of the nuclear licence conditions, including the stability of the transmission network in the Western Cape.
Koeberg Unit 2 is likely to return to service only at the end of the week."
Commenting on the situation in the Western Cape, Jacob Maroga, Eskom's managing director transmission, said: "Eskom takes this matter seriously and is actively seeking ways to optimise the supply of electricity to the region.
"Eskom continues to appeal to everybody to conserve energy and would like to thank municipalities and customers for their co-operation and assistance during this difficult time."
'Tripping' on short circuits
The Western Cape power grid "tripped" on Saturday because of short circuits caused by a combination of heavy mist and a build-up of soot from the recent fires.
When both Koeberg's reactors are in operation, the nuclear power station on the outskirts of Cape Town supplies just under half of the Western Cape's peak electricity demand.
However, Unit 1 has been out of commission since Christmas Day after it was damaged by a loose bolt left behind during routine maintenance.
The second unit shut down on Saturday when the power grid became unstable - a legal requirement - and the Cape was left dependent on power transmitted from Mpumalanga along lines that run through Kimberley and De Aar.
But these lines can carry only 75% of the province's peak demand of 3800 Megawatts.
Forced to shut power
When they approach capacity, as is the case at present, Eskom is forced to shut off power to entire areas in so-called "rolling blackouts".
Stott said the grid was stable on Tuesday and enough power was available to supply all areas with electricity, eight hours of every 10.
On Monday, minerals and energy spokesperson Yvonne Mfolo said government initiatives were at an advanced stage to bring an additional 2000 megawatts through independent power producers and Eskom.
These power stations would be located at Atlantis, Saldanha and in Port Elizabeth. The project was being fast-tracked to ensure it would be ready for operation during the first half of 2007.
Not done enough
But DA energy spokesperson Hendrik Schmidt said the government had not done enough to deregulate the electricity generating industry to allow independent power producers to take part.
Nor had it done enough to promote the use of low-energy bulbs and solar water heaters.
Meanwhile, Western Cape agriculture MEC Cobus Dowry warned that power failures across the province at the weekend posed a big threat to farmers as they seriously affected farming operations.
Dowry said: "The catastrophic impact of cellars and cooling facilities without electricity, irrigation pumps without electricity and sorting machines without electricity is now threatening the success of months of hard labour."
- SAPA