Concerns raised following shutdown of Koeberg's Unit 1 generator

Daniel Puchert

Daniel Puchert

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Big questions about Koeberg nuclear power station

Eskom experienced an unexpected shutdown of its Unit 1 generator at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station on 11 September 2024, raising concerns over safety at the power plant and prompting one environmental organisation to appeal the unit's life extension.

Particularly concerning is that Eskom kept the shutdown quiet until the media exposed it. MyBroadband asked Eskom for further details surrounding the unexpected shutdown, but it hadn't answered our questions by publication.
 
I feel Mr. Yelland is quite the ambulance chaser always trying to find a reason to bash Eskom and seemingly everyone is happy to entertain him because for some reason he is THE ‘expert’ on all things Eskom.
 
mypetcow said:
I feel Mr. Yelland is quite the ambulance chaser always trying to find a reason to bash Eskom and seemingly everyone is happy to entertain him because for some reason he is THE ‘expert’ on all things Eskom.
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Post some alternative experts then.
 
So a valve failed a test and now people want to declare the place unsafe and as a potential disaster? The reason for doing the tests on valves are to make sure it will work during emergencies and follow a shutdown protocol when you detect something.
 
PowerFactor said:
So a valve failed a test and now people want to declare the place unsafe and as a potential disaster? The reason for doing the tests on valves are to make sure it will work during emergencies and follow a shutdown protocol when you detect something.
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Maybe people want more transparency and more oversight for the same people who couldn't keep the lights on until recently.
 
Daniel Puchert said:
Particularly concerning is that Eskom kept the shutdown quiet until the media exposed it. MyBroadband asked Eskom for further details surrounding the unexpected shutdown, but it hadn't answered our questions by publication.
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Do other power producers report every single incident or occurrence? This sounds like a non-event.
 
Ϲhristopher said:
Do other power producers report every single incident or occurrence? This sounds like a non-event.
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Problem is people got to used to Eskom telling us every power station issue to justify loadshedding.
Now just like the old days we aren't told, I mean we didn't know about the jelly fish in 2002, other issues in 2014 and and cause it didn't matter we had power.
 
Mirai said:
Maybe people want more transparency and more oversight for the same people who couldn't keep the lights on until recently.
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I am sure all incidents are recorded to the relevant authorities 🫣 and investigated. I don't think public opinion will solve any of the valve problems.

I am sure more transparency can be a good thing but I get a feeling the antinuclear groups will cry more
 
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PowerFactor said:
I am sure all incidents are recorded to the relevant authorities 🫣 and investigated. I don't think public opinion will solve any of the valve problems.

I am sure more transparency can be a good thing but I get a feeling the antinuclear groups will cry more
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I'm sure... how can you be so sure given everything in SA is so badly managed at the state level. What makes you think ESKOM nuclear is well managed but everything else isn't? Wishful thinking?
 
Mirai said:
I'm sure... how can you be so sure given everything in SA is so badly managed at the state level. What makes you think ESKOM nuclear is well managed but everything else isn't? Wishful thinking?
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Because the other power stations are not monitored by international agencies, which allows them to do whatever they want.

Koeberg is inspected on regular basis and must comply to remain operational. Westinghouse from the US or France will not supply the fuel if they don't comply.
 
PowerFactor said:
Because the other power stations are not monitored by international agencies, which allows them to do whatever they want.

Koeberg is inspected on regular basis and must comply to remain operational. Westinghouse from the US or France will not supply the fuel if they don't comply.
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That's how it is supposed to work. Does it really still work this way? How good is this process nowadays?

I get you. I get all that. But you know we have a lot of f-ups in SA. And nuclear is one f-up you don't want. I mean it's one thing to f-up with coal deliveries or the post office or SABC, but obviously this has serious consequences potentially.
 
Mirai said:
That's how it is supposed to work. Does it really still work this way? How good is this process nowadays?

I get you. I get all that. But you know we have a lot of f-ups in SA. And nuclear is one f-up you don't want. I mean it's one thing to f-up with coal deliveries or the post office or SABC, but obviously this has serious consequences potentially.
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Well that power station is monitored by the overseas people. One of which is Framatome.
This year, well not sure what's going on but they haven't dished out the booklets like they are supposed to. Every year they're supposed to hand out booklets to us that live nearby, in the book is all the instructions on what to do if there is a nuclear accident.

They were also supposed to publish the annual residents meeting date and venue in the local rags. I don't remember seeing that this year.
 
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