Eskom’s dirty pollution laid bare. Picture: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
ESKOM’s dirty pollution secret laid bare
Report reveals the full extent of Eskom’s dirty pollution secret. Here’s how much harmful particulate matter the SOE is responsible for.
Eskom’s dirty pollution laid bare. Picture: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
A report from Daily Investor has laid bare Eskom’s dirty pollution secret. Revealed in the SOE’s results for the last six months ending in September 2023, emissions pollution has seen a sharp increase.
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According to the six-month report, Eskom was responsible for 0.92 kg of particulate matter per MWh of electricity produced. Eskom’s dirty pollution performance is double the level seen during the same period last year.
ESKOM’S DIRTY POLLUTION SECRET
Eskom admits its, “Relative particular emissions performance has continued to deteriorate and is significantly worse than the target.” It said the Kendal, Kriel, and Matla power stations were the worst performing, and were responsible for almost half of total fleet emissions.
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According to the report, 14 power stations in Eskom were still operating in non-compliance with average monthly emissions limits. The SOE is engaging with the National Environmental Consultative and Advisory Forum regarding Minimum Emissions Standards, which has been extended to August 2024.
RISK OF SHUTDOWN
The August forum will hear from Eskom and recommend a course of action which Minister Barbara Creecy of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment will rule upon. Upwards of 8 500 MW of power is at risk if the non-compliant plants are indeed shutdown, as per her purview.
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It was also revealed by the National Treasury revealed that to keep the lights on, Eskom’s coal fleet emissions have skyrocketed. From 0.40 kg/MWh in January 2023 to 1.01 kg/MWh in June 2023. Eskom’s dirty pollution secret is severely impacting communities near its facilities, too.
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The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) declared Eskom the world’s largest emitter of sulfur dioxide. And it believes Eskom’s coal-fired power plants risk the lives of 79 500 people by 2025 if South Africa doesn’t transition to clean renewable energy.
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