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Eskom Cuts Koeberg Unit 1 Nuclear Output to 50% as Sardine Buildup Shuts Cooling Pump

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Eskom cut Koeberg Unit 1 nuclear output to 50% after a cooling pump automatically shut down amid marine material buildup linked to rising sardine mortality, the utility said Friday.

South Africa's state power utility, Eskom, said the controlled reduction was a routine safety measure and that nuclear and operational safety at the station were never at risk.

Eskom activated emergency response teams to clear the seawater intake area after a cooling pump automatically shut down, while Unit 1 will resume normal output once intake flow returns.

An increase in sardine mortality along South Africa's Southwestern and West Coast has prompted an inter-agency investigation, Eskom added, citing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.

Eskom said its recovery plan prevented any impact on South Africa's electricity supply, while Koeberg Unit 2 remains offline for planned maintenance and remains unaffected.

The utility continues to monitor conditions and will restore Unit 1 to full generation safely after fully restoring the cooling water intake.

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