ESKOM SOC HOLDINGS LTD’S (ESKOM) APPLICATION TO POSTPONE COMPLIANCE WITH AND/OR BE EXEMPT FROM MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) FOR ITS POWER STATIONS

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is challenging Eskom's application to postpone or be exempt from minimum emission standards (MES) for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter across 17 power stations. CER argues that Eskom's current process lacks necessary health and environmental risk assessments and provides insufficient time for public consultation, which could make any resulting government decision subject to judicial review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).

• Eskom has applied for postponement of or exemption from minimum emission standards (MES) for 17 power stations: Medupi, Majuba, Matimba, Kendal, Lethabo, Duvha U1-3 and U4-6, Matla, Tutuka, Kriel, Arnot, Hendrina, Camden, Grootvlei, Komati, Port Rex, and Acacia.
• CER disputes Eskom's claim in its Background Information Document (BID) that power station emissions do not harm human health, stating this is contradicted by medical research and findings from the World Bank Inspection Panel.
• The CER argues that Eskom's plan to avoid detailed health or environmental risk assessments in its Atmospheric Impact Reports (AIRs) is inadequate for investigating potential adverse impacts.
• CER requests that Eskom amend its atmospheric dispersion modelling Plan of Study (PoS) to ensure more robust results that can support detailed health risk assessments.
• CER contends that a 30-day public comment period for 17 separate applications and AIRs is 'woefully inadequate' and requests a minimum of 90 days, excluding the period from 15 December 2013 to 2 January 2014.
• The document asserts that failure to include detailed health assessments and provide fair public participation would violate the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), potentially leading to judicial review.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2013). ESKOM SOC HOLDINGS LTD’S (ESKOM) APPLICATION TO POSTPONE COMPLIANCE WITH AND/OR BE EXEMPT FROM MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) FOR ITS POWER STATIONS. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CER-letter-to-Minister-and-NAQO_-8-October-2013_final.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. ESKOM SOC HOLDINGS LTD’S (ESKOM) APPLICATION TO POSTPONE COMPLIANCE WITH AND/OR BE EXEMPT FROM MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) FOR ITS POWER STATIONS. 2013. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CER-letter-to-Minister-and-NAQO_-8-October-2013_final.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=ESKOM SOC HOLDINGS LTD’S (ESKOM) APPLICATION TO POSTPONE COMPLIANCE WITH AND/OR BE EXEMPT FROM MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) FOR ITS POWER STATIONS |date=8 October 2013 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CER-letter-to-Minister-and-NAQO_-8-October-2013_final.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2013eskom, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{ESKOM SOC HOLDINGS LTD’S (ESKOM) APPLICATION TO POSTPONE COMPLIANCE WITH AND/OR BE EXEMPT FROM MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN OXIDES (NOX), AND PARTICULATE MATTER (PM) FOR ITS POWER STATIONS}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2013}, month = oct, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CER-letter-to-Minister-and-NAQO_-8-October-2013_final.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }