doc-1.1-c-sub-brd-ses-26-aug-2016_env-perf-comp-and-risks-1-c31b2e2025167439.pdf

This executive summary, submitted to the Eskom Board Sustainability and Ethics Committee on 26 August 2016, details the company's environmental performance, compliance status, and associated legal and financial risks. It highlights improvements in particulate emissions but notes failures in water usage targets and ongoing challenges with legal contraventions and regulatory compliance.

• For the four months ending 31 July 2016, particulate emissions performance was 0.31 kg/MWhSO, which outperformed both the previous year's 0.35 kg/MWhSO and the annual target of 0.37 kg/MWhSO. This improvement is attributed to increased management focus and maintenance.
• Water usage for the period ending July 2016 was 1.44 l/kWhSO, failing to meet the annual target of 1.38 l/kWhSO and performing worse than the 1.36 l/kWhSO recorded in the same period the previous year. Performance is hindered by water wastage, excessive leaks, and ash contamination. Water supply is classified as a 'level one risk' due to continued drought.
• Eskom is required to comply with Minimum Emission Standards by 2020 under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act. While the Department of Environmental Affairs approved a postponement in 2015 based on a 57% compliance strategy, the revised plan—with capital costs of R107 billion and opex costs of R1.8 billion—does not meet all original commitments and requires authority approval.
• Eskom has developed an air quality offset programme to improve ambient air quality for communities near power stations, with an estimated cost of R4.3 billion between 2017 and 2025.
• Six environmental legal contraventions were identified by the end of July 2016, including ash water overflows at Arnot Power Station and Komati Power station, hazardous waste dumping by a sub-contractor at Hendrina Power Station, and SO2 limit exceedances at Matimba Power Station.
• The company faces significant legal and financial risks, including an administrative fine of R1 million issued in March 2016 for the unauthorised construction of the Ruigtevallei — Dreunberg 132kV line in the Eastern Cape. Failure to ensure environmental compliance could result in the loss of Eskom's license to operate and criminal prosecution of the Board and individuals.
• Kendal Power Station reported 24 NEMA section 30 emergency incidents in the last financial year, contributing to a total of 59 such incidents across Eskom. The authorities are investigating the root causes, and failure to address them could lead to further action under NEMA section 34.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). doc-1.1-c-sub-brd-ses-26-aug-2016_env-perf-comp-and-risks-1-c31b2e2025167439.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-c-Sub-Brd-SES-26-Aug-2016_Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-1.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. doc-1.1-c-sub-brd-ses-26-aug-2016_env-perf-comp-and-risks-1-c31b2e2025167439.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-c-Sub-Brd-SES-26-Aug-2016_Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-1.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=doc-1.1-c-sub-brd-ses-26-aug-2016_env-perf-comp-and-risks-1-c31b2e2025167439.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-c-Sub-Brd-SES-26-Aug-2016_Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-1.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnddoc11csubbrdses26aug2016envperfcompandrisks1c31b2e2025167439pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{doc-1.1-c-sub-brd-ses-26-aug-2016\_env-perf-comp-and-risks-1-c31b2e2025167439.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-c-Sub-Brd-SES-26-Aug-2016_Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-1.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }