Search Climate Insights Directory

This document is a response from Eskom to a request for information by the Centre for Environmental Rights. It reveals that Eskom does not have standalone decommissioning or emission reduction plans for its coal stations, but instead manages these through broader air quality strategies. A 2010 strategy included in the text outlines a prioritised approach to meeting Minimum Emission Standards, highlighting significant constraints such as water scarcity in the Highveld and the high cost of retrofits (estimated at R28 billion CAPEX in 2009 terms), while suggesting 'offset projects' as a cheaper alternative to technical upgrades.

This fact sheet from the Centre for Environmental Rights outlines projected climate impacts across three geographic areas of South Africa—Limpopo/Lephalale, Emalahleni/Mpumalanga (Highveld), and the Western Cape and coastal regions—across three timeframes from 2021 to 2100, corresponding to temperature increases of 2°C+, 3-4°C, and 4°C+.

This document is an Atmospheric Emissions Licence (AEL) issued by the Fezile Dabi District Municipality to Sasol Chemical Industries (Pty) Ltd for its operations in Sasolburg. The licence, reference number FODM-MET-2013-23, converts a previous Atmosphere Pollution Prevention Act Registration Certificate into an Air Quality Act Atmospheric Emissions Licence. It outlines the legal conditions, permitted listed activities, process descriptions, emission limits, and monitoring requirements for various industrial units including steam stations, reformers, and chemical plants.

A letter from the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Office to the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) providing an update on the Coal Baseload Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme, specifically regarding bid validity extensions for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa projects.

The Department of Environmental Affairs of the Republic of South Africa has granted an integrated environmental authorisation to Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd for the establishment of the 1200MW coal-fired IPP Thabametsi Power Station and associated infrastructure near Lephalale in the Limpopo Province.

This fact sheet describes the objectives and approach of South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025, focusing on balancing energy supply security, cost minimization, and emission reductions.

A fact sheet by the Centre for Environmental Rights explaining the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and a September 2020 Ministerial determination to procure 1500MW of new coal-fired electricity from independent power producers in South Africa.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) provided joint submissions on 18 July 2012 regarding the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Bill, 2012. The document offers a detailed critique of proposed amendments to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the Biodiversity Act, and the Air Quality Act, focusing on environmental governance, criminal liability, and the rights of traditional communities.

This case study examines the legal dispute in KATZ v BENEPROPS TWO (PTY) LTD 1998 JDR 0052 (O) regarding the validity of a diamond prospecting contract extension and whether the lodging of an internal appeal against a mining permit suspends that permit's operation.

This case study examines the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision in KEBBLE v MINISTER OF WATER AFFAIRS (2007), where the court overturned a contempt of court order against the former directors of Stilfontein Gold Mining Company (SGM). The court ruled that the directives issued by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry regarding the pumping and treatment of underground water in the KOSH basin were too vague and unenforceable to justify criminal sanctions for contempt.

This document is a letter from Eskom to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated 17 July 2014. It provides additional information to support Eskom's February 2014 application to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for the Kendal Power Station.

A letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to Eskom regarding an application for the postponement of compliance time-frames with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 for the Kendal Power Station.

This document is a Provisional Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) and the accompanying decision letter issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs to Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd for the Khanyisa Power Plant. The licence authorizes the operation of solid fuel combustion installations for electricity generation, subject to specific emission limits, monitoring requirements, and environmental mitigation measures.

The Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa has granted an integrated environmental authorisation to Anglo Operations Limited for the construction of the 450MW Khanyisa Coal-fired Power Station in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga Province. The authorisation covers the design, construction, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning of the plant, which will use fluidised bed technologies and discard coal for power generation.

This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Komati Power Station. The licence, varied on 31 March 2016 following an appeal, sets specific emission limits for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mandates the implementation of an Atmospheric Emission Off-Set Plan to reduce PM pollution.

The Komati Power Station Annual Emission Report for the 2015-2016 financial year (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016) details the station's emissions of particulates, SO2, NO, and CO2, as well as the availability and calibration of its monitoring equipment and compliance audit findings.

A letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to Eskom regarding an application for the postponement of compliance time-frames with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act 39 of 2004 for the Komati Power Station.

This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) variation issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Komati Power Station. The licence, valid until 31 March 2019, regulates emissions from electricity generation activities, specifying maximum release rates for pollutants, monitoring requirements, and mitigation measures for fugitive emissions.

This document is a variation of an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued on 31 March 2015 by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Komati Power Station. The licence, valid until 31 March 2019, regulates emissions from listed activities including solid fuel combustion, petroleum storage, and coal handling, while setting specific emission limits and monitoring requirements for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

This briefing is a response from Eskom to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding an application to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES) at the Kriel Power Station. The document provides specific stack emission limits, a planned compliance timeline involving retrofits and decommissioning, and ambient air quality monitoring data from three stations.