By Karen Breytenbach
Cape Town's harbour master and Eskom say they have plans in place to lift Koeberg's new 200-ton rotor off a ship and transport it safely to the power station.
"We have a floating crane in the harbour that can handle a 250-ton working load, and even if that is not available, we can double up two cranes," said Harbour Master Rufus Lekala.
As a last resort it would also be possible to bring a rented crane from Johannesburg.
Eskom spokesperson Tony Stott said one 400-ton crane was already waiting in the harbour, while another of the same size was on its way to Cape Town. These would be used in tandem.
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A 100-wheeler flatbed trailer would then transport the gigantic rotor to the Koeberg power station, where permanently installed cranes would manoeuvre it inside.
"The rotor can easily fit onto a trailer. The roads between the harbour and Koeberg were assessed when (the plant) was built," said Stott. "Ten years ago (the roads were) again assessed and approved. We're really not worried."
The SAS Drakensberg was on its way to South Africa from Norway, escorting the S101 submarine, when it was sent to pick up the desperately needed rotor in France.
Eskom and France's electricity utility agreed that Koeberg would get the rotor in exchange for the soon-to-be repaired Unit 1 rotor which was damaged by a loose bolt, claimed to be in an act of sabotage.
This rotor is being repaired in Johannesburg, where it was transported on another 100-wheeler trailer.
Earlier this week Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota told the Defence Portfolio Committee the naval vessel would arrive later than expected, probably by April 10.
Stott said of the ship's whereabouts: "We know it's somewhere off the west coast of Africa. How soon it gets here is dependant on the weather."
- This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Times on March 31, 2006
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