doc-1.1-e-brd-ses_eskom-env-perf-comp-and-risks-jan-2017-99be0406942a35ee.pdf

This executive summary submission to the Eskom Board Social, Ethics and Sustainability Committee provides an update on the company's environmental performance, compliance status, and associated risks as of end January 2017. It details emissions and water performance, legal contraventions, pre-compliance notices from the Department of Environmental Affairs, and progress on biodiversity and bird mitigation strategies.

• As of end January 2017, Eskom's emissions performance was 0.30 kg/MWhSO, which was better than the revised year-end target of 0.35 kg/MWhSO. However, particulate (ash) emissions had been increasing for five years, though they showed improvement since May 2016. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission limits at the Matimba and Medupi power stations were being exceeded due to the high sulphur content of the coal, leading Eskom to plan an application for an amendment to the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for a limit increase, a move opposed by NGOs.
• Water performance as of end January 2017 was 1.43 l/kWhSO, failing to meet the year-end target of 1.38 l/kWhSO. Water use has increased over the last five years, negatively impacted by drought, high temperatures, and poor management practices. Specific causes of high water use include system leaks, water wastage from overflowing tanks, unit trips, boiler filling, contamination of water with oil and ash, and half station shut downs (HSSD).
• The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) issued four pre-directives or pre-compliance notices to Eskom. Tutuka Power Station received one on 1 September 2016 regarding alleged non-compliances with the National Water Act, National Environmental Management: Waste Management Act, and National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act. Kendal Power Station received one on 25 October 2016 regarding particulate emission limit exceedances and inadequate equipment efficiency. Matimba Power Station received one on 8 December 2016 regarding sulphur dioxide limits in its AEL.
• Eskom recorded 383 red data bird mortalities on its Transmission and Distribution infrastructure for the 2016/17 financial year, an increase from 207 in the previous year-to-date period. These fatalities, caused by collisions or electrocutions, were distributed as 298 in Distribution, 85 in Transmission, and 2 in Risk and Sustainability (Sere). In response, Eskom developed a pro-active action plan including the insulation of conductors and jumpers, lightning spike removal, and increased line visibility technology.
• Eskom is exploring environmental cost-saving options, including delaying compliance projects for stations slated for decommissioning or cold reserve, negotiating further postponements of emissions projects, and negotiating less expensive liners for ash facilities at Kendal, Matimba, Majuba, and Tutuka. However, the document notes that further postponements are unlikely to succeed unless a total reduction in emissions impact is demonstrated.
• The company faces significant financial and legal risks. Attaining full compliance with environmental legislative obligations could cost hundreds of billions of Rand and impact the Eskom tariff. Non-compliance risks include criminal prosecution of staff, Senior Management, and Board members, as well as legal penalties, forced load losses, and clean-up costs.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). doc-1.1-e-brd-ses_eskom-env-perf-comp-and-risks-jan-2017-99be0406942a35ee.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-e-Brd-SES_Eskom-Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-Jan-2017.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. doc-1.1-e-brd-ses_eskom-env-perf-comp-and-risks-jan-2017-99be0406942a35ee.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-e-Brd-SES_Eskom-Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-Jan-2017.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=doc-1.1-e-brd-ses_eskom-env-perf-comp-and-risks-jan-2017-99be0406942a35ee.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-e-Brd-SES_Eskom-Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-Jan-2017.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsnddoc11ebrdseseskomenvperfcompandrisksjan201799be0406942a35eepdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{doc-1.1-e-brd-ses\_eskom-env-perf-comp-and-risks-jan-2017-99be0406942a35ee.pdf}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Doc-1.1-e-Brd-SES_Eskom-Env-Perf-Comp-and-Risks-Jan-2017.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }