Investigations Underway Following Extensive Damage to Kusile Station, Mzansi Outraged by “Fault After Fault”

• A flue gas duct at Unit 1 of Eskom’s Kusile power station failed in two places due to extensive damage to a chimney
• Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the damage, and the unit is on forced shut down for repairs
• Access to the area has been restricted, and it is anticipated that the power station may remain offline for several months

MPUMALANGA - Investigations are underway to determine what caused the extensive damage to a chimney at the Kusile power station.

Eskom said that a flue gas duct at Unit 1 of the station failed in two places last month. The utility’s spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said the flue gas duct exiting the sulphur dioxide absorber failed on the horizontal rubber expansion joint and the compensator.

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Eskom says Unit 1 at Kusile power station could be offline for months due to failure

The unit is on forced shutdown for pump repairs. Mantshantsha said investigations and assessments are being conducted to establish the cause of failure and the damage's extent.

He said it is anticipated that the unity may remain offline for several months, according to IOL. Access to the area has been restricted.

Mantshantsha said Eskom is consulting with specialists and the equipment manufacturer to establish how the plant can be restored quickly.

News24 reported that the Kusile power station is one of the world’s biggest coal-fired power plants and was meant to be completed in 2014 after being commissioned in 2007. However, the power station is expected to take until 2027 to rectify its design defects.

Mzansi angered by damage:

@SbuKhaba said:

“The plastic Power Station strikes again! Kusile.”

@BhejulaKaDyonta wrote:

“These Kusile issues are really starting to frustrate the hell out of me. Fault after fault without any form of accountability. Yes, it is new.”

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Eskom says Unit 1 at Kusile power station could be offline for months due to failure

In a related matter, Briefly News also reported Eskom released a statement on Wednesday that there has been a flue gas duct failure at Kusile Unit 1, and estimated that the unit could remain offline for months.

The power utility said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the failure, the extent of the damage and how long it will take to repair.

The damage is allegedly inside the flue’s chimney, and Eskom is engaging with various stakeholders, including the manufacturer of the equipment. Then the best course of action will be determined based on their findings.

Source: Briefly News