OBJECTIONS TO THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE FOR ESKOM’S DUVHA POWER STATION

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) objects to Eskom's request to increase particulate matter (PM) emission limits at the Duvha Power Station. CER argues that Eskom's application is based on flawed modelling, fails to account for severe health impacts, and contradicts the goals of the Highveld Priority Area. The document highlights Eskom's history of environmental non-compliance and poor planning, asserting that the requested 'grace period' for repairs is an opportunistic attempt to avoid meeting Minimum Emission Standards (MES).

• Eskom is seeking to increase PM emission limits for Duvha Power Station units 1-3 from 100mg/Nm3 to 300mg/Nm3 for rebagging and recommissioning, and for units 4-6 from 200mg/Nm3 to 600mg/Nm3 for 111 days per year until 1 April 2015.
• Duvha is located in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA), where power generation is a major pollutant source, contributing 73% of NOx and 82% of SO2 emissions.
• CER asserts that Eskom's atmospheric impact modelling is flawed and underestimates the impact on ambient air quality, noting that Duvha was not among the stations where modelled concentrations correlated with measurements.
• The document estimates that the variation would allow excess PM10 emissions of 1,200 tons for units 1-3 and 2,400 tons for units 4-6, and that total excess PM10 emissions over nine years (until April 2024) would reach 50,000 tons.
• Eskom is identified as the organ of state with the highest rate of non-compliance with environmental legislation, having paid over R3.2 million in fines for illegal activities since 2009.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2014). OBJECTIONS TO THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE FOR ESKOM’S DUVHA POWER STATION. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CER-Objection-to-Variation-of-Duvha-AEL-14-Feb-2014_final.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. OBJECTIONS TO THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE FOR ESKOM’S DUVHA POWER STATION. 2014. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CER-Objection-to-Variation-of-Duvha-AEL-14-Feb-2014_final.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=OBJECTIONS TO THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE FOR ESKOM’S DUVHA POWER STATION |date=14 February 2014 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CER-Objection-to-Variation-of-Duvha-AEL-14-Feb-2014_final.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2014objections, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{OBJECTIONS TO THE VARIATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC EMISSION LICENCE FOR ESKOM’S DUVHA POWER STATION}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2014}, month = feb, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CER-Objection-to-Variation-of-Duvha-AEL-14-Feb-2014_final.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }