Breaking News
- The Unit 8 transformer has exploded at Eskom’s Camden power station near Ermelo in Mpumalanga this morning.
- Eskom has confirmed that the explosion was as a result of a fault and there are no confirmed injuries to workers at the power station.
- Eskom does not anticipate any disruption to power supply.
Camden was commissioned in 1967 and is effectively 54 years old. Power is generated by eight 200 MW units with a total installed capacity on 1600 MW. Nominal capacity is listed as 1,481 MW with gross capacity of 1,561 MW (3 x 200 MW; 1 x 196 MW; 2 x 195 MW; 1 x 190 MW; 1 x 185 MW). Image credit: Eskom
Eskom has confirmed that an internal fault has resulted in a transformer explosion on Unit 8 of the Camden Power Station. The unit produces approximately 190MW. The fire has been contained and no injuries have been reported. An investigation to determine the cause, the extent of the damage and the possible return to service is under way.
The state owned power utility has been plagued by major incidents and acts of sabotage on their operations and equipment at various plants. In August this year, a hydrogen explosion effectively destroyed unit 4 at Medupi power station while more recently, an act of sabotage involving the cutting of stay wires securing transmission lines that service the coal conveyor belt at Lethabo Power Station was confirmed by Eskom. Read more
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
