Search Climate Insights Directory

This document is a formal exchange between the Life After Coal (LAC) campaign—a joint effort by the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa—and Eskom. The LAC objects to Eskom's applications for alternative emission limits and exemptions from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for the Medupi and Matimba power stations. Eskom defends its use of legal mechanisms for postponement and exemptions, citing financial constraints, the need for energy security, and the principles of sustainable development.

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.

A Provisional Atmospheric Emission License issued on 31 March 2015 by the Limpopo Provincial Government to Eskom for the Matimba Power Station, authorizing electricity generation via solid fuel combustion and associated storage activities until 01 April 2020.

This document is an annual emissions report for the Matimba Power Station, submitted by Eskom to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. It covers the reporting period from April 2016 to March 2017, detailing verified emissions of carbon dioxide, particulates, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as compliance with atmospheric emission licenses.

This document is an excerpt from Eskom's Air Quality Improvement Plan, detailing the strategy to reduce particulate and gaseous emissions from its power stations. It outlines a phased and prioritised approach to compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES), focusing on retrofitting the highest emitting and newest stations first. The plan identifies critical constraints including funding, water availability on the Highveld, and skilled human resources, while proposing air quality offsets in vulnerable communities to mitigate local pollution.

The Minister of Environmental Affairs of South Africa dismissed an appeal by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights) against the Environmental Authorisation (EA) granted to Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd for the Thabametsi Power Station. While the Minister upheld the project's approval, the decision included specific amendments to the EA's conditions regarding runoff water and surface water monitoring.

This report examines land-use management in the Lephalale Local Municipality, focusing on the challenges of a municipality that owns almost no land within its urban edge. It details the municipality's strategies for land acquisition, the provision of integrated human settlements, and the incremental introduction of land-use schemes in rural areas under traditional authorities, specifically the Seleka Traditional Authority. The document highlights the influence of major mining and energy companies, the impact of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), and the complexities of intergovernmental relations.