Search Climate Insights Directory

The Minister of Environmental Affairs of South Africa issued a decision on 30 January 2018 to confirm the Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the construction of the 1200MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station. This decision followed a North Gauteng High Court order remitting the matter for reconsideration specifically regarding climate change and paleontological impact assessments.

A submission from Eskom to the South African government regarding proposed minimum emission standards for combustion installations, arguing for practical limits based on technological, resource, and cost constraints.

This document is a report assessing the necessity of proposed Karpowership power plant projects in South Africa. It concludes that the projects are not required to meet the country's electricity needs and are likely more expensive than alternative options.

The South African Department of Environmental Affairs granted Medupi Power Station a postponement for SO2 emission compliance for existing plants (limit of 3500 mg/Nm3) until 31 March 2020, while maintaining a 500 mg/Nm3 limit for new plants from 1 April 2020, with full compliance required by 1 April 2025.

The report recommends the installation of Wet FGD (WFGD) technology without a flue gas cooler for the Medupi Power Station in South Africa. While Dry FGD (CFB) uses less water, it is rejected due to 53% higher operating costs, 9% higher capital costs, and the requirement for high-quality lime sourced from the Northern Cape. WFGD is preferred for its higher efficiency on high-sulphur coals, its ability to use local lower-quality limestone to stimulate regional economic development in Lephalale, and its alignment with the Phase 2A water augmentation project.

A submission from Eskom to Working Group 1 requesting revisions to proposed Minimum Emission Standards for power plants, specifically regarding particulate matter (PM) limits for existing plants and sulfur dioxide (SO2) limits for new plants.

This document is a letter from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to the Water Tribunal regarding an appeal by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) against a water licence issued for the Khanyisa Coal Baseload Independent Producer Project. The DWS provides a detailed response to CER's claims concerning the number of applications submitted and the specific expert reports and documents considered during the assessment process.

This document is a formal statement from Eskom Holdings SOC Limited submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs on 22 June 2017. It provides comments and recommendations regarding the 'Notice of Intention to Amend the List of Activities which Result in Atmospheric Emission' under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (39/2004). Eskom argues that the proposed emission standards lack comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and could lead to severe financial and operational burdens, potentially necessitating significant electricity tariff increases.

This Record of Recommendation (RoR), dated 25 January 2017, provides the assessment by the South African Department of Water and Sanitation regarding an Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) for a 600 MW coal-fired power plant proposed by KiPower (Pty) Ltd near Delmas, Mpumalanga.

A letter from Eskom to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) detailing the company's position on compliance timeframes for proposed Minimum Emission Standards for its coal-fired power stations.

A letter dated 6 September 2017 from Sven Eaton Patrick Peck, Director of groundWork, appointing the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) as attorneys of record to represent groundWork in an appeal to the Water Tribunal regarding a water use licence for the proposed KiPower 600MW coal-fired power station.

A letter from Eskom to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs providing comments on draft amendments to the Listed Activities and Associated Minimum Emission Standards under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act No 39 of 2004).

A 2009 statement from Eskom to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding draft minimum emission standards. Eskom expresses support for the standards as a long-term goal but argues that the proposed timeframes and limit values are practically and financially unfeasible for its existing power station fleet due to resource constraints and economic impacts.

In a submission to the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs dated 12 April 2013, Eskom expresses concerns that full compliance with the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for Listed Activities under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004, would threaten energy security and increase electricity tariffs. While supporting the act in general, Eskom argues that the standards ignore local scientific evidence and resource constraints, specifically regarding water availability and capital costs.

This document is a response from Eskom to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding a request for additional information on the postponement application for the Camden Power Station to comply with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Eskom states that the station will not comply with 'new plant' standards for particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), or nitrogen oxides (NOx) before its expected decommissioning between 2020 and 2023.

This briefing, dated 17 July 2014, is a response from Eskom to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding a postponement application for the Hendrina Power Station to comply with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Eskom outlines current stack emission limits, its lack of plans to upgrade the station for certain pollutants, and provides ambient air quality monitoring data showing non-compliance for particulate matter.

Eskom's 2014 response to the DEA regarding the Komati Power Station's request to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Eskom states it has no plans to upgrade the station to meet 'new plant' limits for PM, SO2, and NOx because the station is old (commissioned 1961-1966) and slated for decommissioning between 2024 and 2028. While the station complies with ambient SO2 and NOx standards, it is in non-compliance with ambient PM10 standards, recording between 82 and 162 exceedances of the 24-hour limit per year. Eskom argues that further emission reductions at Komati would not meaningfully improve ambient PM levels as the station's contribution is small compared to total levels.

This document is a letter from Eskom to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated 17 July 2014, providing additional information to support a postponement application for the Lethabo Power Station's compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Eskom outlines current stack emission limits, argues that full compliance by 2015 and 2020 is not practically feasible, and provides ambient air quality monitoring data and a register of public complaints regarding pollution.

A 2014 letter from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs to the manager of Lethabo Power Station confirming the closure of a pre-compliance notice following the resolution of several environmental non-compliances identified during a 2009 inspection.

This document is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report and Environmental Management Programme (EMPr) for the Tormin Mine Extension, prepared by SRK Consulting for MSR. It details the potential environmental impacts of the mine expansion, proposed mitigation measures, and the financial and operational plans for rehabilitation and closure.