State-owned power utility Eskom reports that it experienced an apparent over pressurisation incident on the Unit 3 boiler at the Duvha coal-fired power station, in Mpumalanga, just before midnight on March 30.

“After a boiler tube leak alarm, the boiler tripped on a high-pressure alarm. Upon inspection, damage was observed in the boiler and surrounding equipment. One person was treated for dust inhalation, but no other injuries were reported,” Eskom said in a statement on Monday.

The reason for the boiler over pressurisation at Duvha was being investigated, with Eskom engineers on site on Monday having conducted a preliminary assessment while the boiler cooled down enough for a full assessment to be undertaken.

“The results of this assessment and the implications of this incident will be reported once available,” said Eskom, adding that the incident would add more pressure to an already tight system, but that there was “no immediate risk of load shedding at this time”.