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561 results for “Eskom”
Large Infrastructure Challenges: South Africa and DR Congo
The report highlights the impact of corruption and inefficiency on energy projects in South Africa and the DR Congo. In South Africa, the Medupi and Kusile coal plants suffered from massive cost overruns and delays, contributing to unsustainable debt for Eskom and frequent blackouts, though performance improved by 2025. In the DR Congo, the Grand Inga Hydropower Project, specifically Inga III, has been delayed for decades due to funding and transparency issues, leaving the country with unreliable electricity despite significant hydropower potential.
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Document type: Research paper
grootvlei-power-station-5f741b44913b4ace.pdf
The Grootvlei Power Station Annual Emissions Report for the 2016/17 financial year, submitted by Eskom to the Chief Air Quality Licensing Officer, details the station's pollutant emissions, the progress of a particulate matter reduction project, and compliance with atmospheric licenses.
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Document type: Report
matimba-health-risk-assessment_6-e4803f6ab69f5bcb.pdf
This report reviews risk factors to quantify the potential health impacts of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from various Eskom operations. It synthesizes global epidemiological data from organizations like the WHO and USEPA to establish risk estimates for mortality and morbidity, while incorporating South African provincial population and health data to support a health risk assessment.
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Document type: Report
Open letter to Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa on talks with Sasol
The letter argues that Sasol and Natref's court application to set aside air pollution regulations threatens public health and environmental rights, particularly in the Vaal Triangle and Highveld Priority Areas. The signatories contend that Sasol's high profitability makes its claims of prohibitive compliance costs immoral and that granting exemptions would set a dangerous precedent for other polluters, including Eskom.
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Document type: Statement
Hybrid-Microgrid - Alternative energy solutions for businesses
Pitstop Lodge, an eco-conscious restaurant in Gordon's Bay, South Africa, installed a hybrid-microgrid consisting of a 70kWp solar PV system, a 100kVA generator, and a 178kWh battery pack after Eskom failed to extend the electricity grid to its location. This system provides a constant electricity supply, reducing generator use to two hours per day and resulting in annual carbon offsets of 104 tCO2 and energy savings of approximately 105,014kWh.
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Document type: Case study
RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE
The Life After Coal Campaign urges the South African government to reject the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired IPP projects. Citing a study by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre, the campaign argues that these plants are not needed to meet demand, would cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost system, and would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years. The campaign further asserts that these projects would exacerbate Eskom's financial crisis and contradict South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement.
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Document type: Statement
record-13.1-pg-1-12-bfcc809d073ef84e.pdf
This document is an internal Air Quality Strategy from Eskom, a South African state-owned electricity utility. It outlines a framework to reduce atmospheric emissions of particulates, sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and heavy metals from its power stations to ensure compliance with South African legislation, specifically the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, No 39 of 2004 (NEMAQA). The strategy details specific emission targets based on plant age, proposed technical retrofits, resource requirements, and the integration of air quality management with water, coal, and climate change strategies.
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Document type: Report
COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CONCURRENCE WITH THE MINISTERIAL DETERMINATION ON THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW GENERATION CAPACITY OF 3000 MW FROM GAS
The document argues that the procurement of 3,000 MW of gas power is irrational, unlawful, and environmentally harmful. It claims the process was 'tailor-made' for an existing Eskom project, lacked adequate public consultation, and ignores the availability of cheaper, cleaner renewable energy alternatives. The authors assert that gas is not a 'bridging fuel' due to high methane leakage and that such infrastructure risks becoming a stranded asset, thereby threatening South Africa's climate commitments and constitutional rights to a healthy environment.
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Document type: Statement
duvha-ael-07-04-2015-44120652613d42d3.pdf
This document is a variation of an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Duvha Power Station. The licence, valid until 31 May 2017, regulates atmospheric emissions from listed activities including solid fuel combustion, petroleum product storage, and coal handling, setting specific emission limits for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
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Document type: Report
Response from the Life After Coal campaign to the President’s energy crisis plan
The Life After Coal campaign expresses support for rolling out renewable energy and battery storage from the 2019 IRP but strongly opposes the use of the energy crisis to introduce gas into the electricity mix. The campaign argues that gas is not a transitional fuel and poses risks of stranded assets and higher costs for consumers. It further criticises the potential for privatising new generation and the lack of specific support for rooftop solar for poor South Africans whose housing may not support such installations. The document also warns that Eskom's repurposing plans favour expensive gas turbines over low-cost solar power.
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Document type: Statement
Sustainable energy solutions for South Africa
The report documents a 2010 conference of the South African Civil Society Energy Caucus, focusing on the lack of transparency and public participation in the development of the second Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2). It critiques the government's continued reliance on coal and nuclear power, highlighting the failures of the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) and the environmental risks of radioactive waste in the Witwatersrand goldfields. The document advocates for a 'just transition' toward renewable energy, specifically wind and solar, while calling for an independent system operator to resolve conflicts of interest within Eskom.
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Document type: Report
URGENT STEPS NEEDED TO ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN THE HIGHVELD PRIORTY AREA
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has called on the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to take urgent action against air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA). The letter criticizes the DEA's dismissal of health impact studies linking Eskom and Sasol emissions to thousands of deaths and respiratory illnesses. It further demands an end to 'rolling postponements' of minimum emission standards (MES), a response to the 'Broken Promises' report, and updates on the Highveld Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) goals and its Mid-Term Review.
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Document type: Statement
THE MYTH OF “CLEAN COAL”
The document asserts that "clean coal" is impossible, as the entire coal cycle—from mining to combustion—causes severe damage to health, water, and the climate. It critiques three specific technologies: High Efficiency, Low Emissions (HELE) plants, which only reduce CO2 by up to 20% while increasing costs; Circulating Fluidised Bed (CFB) systems, which increase solid waste and N2O emissions; and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which remains unproven in South Africa and faces high costs and geological transport challenges. The text highlights that Eskom and Sasol are primary coal users in South Africa, and that wind and solar power are cleaner, cheaper alternatives.
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Document type: Fact sheet
WHY THE LIGHTS WENT OUT: REFORM IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN ENERGY SECTOR
The document analyzes the systemic failure of South Africa's energy sector, which culminated in national rolling blackouts in 2007 and 2008. It argues that the crisis resulted from a gap between the ambitious goals of the 1998 White Paper—which sought to introduce competition and Independent Power Producers (IPPs)—and the actual implementation of these reforms. The study highlights how the government's decision to limit Eskom's autonomous planning and the failure to establish a functional framework for IPPs left the country without sufficient generation capacity as demand grew. It also examines the failed attempt to restructure the distribution sector through Regional Electricity Distributors (REDs) and the financial underpricing of electricity that discouraged new investment.
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Document type: Case study
duvha-ael-signed-28-june-2017-1-e34fb0464377994f.pdf
This document is a renewed Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Duvha Power Station. The licence, valid from 30 June 2017 to 30 June 2022, sets specific limits on particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, while mandating operational requirements, monitoring frequencies, and the implementation of an Atmospheric Emission Off-Set Plan to reduce PM pollution.
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Document type: Report
camden-ael_april-2015-f45e0519cc504d2d.pdf
This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued on 31 March 2015 by the Gert Sibande District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Camden Power Station. The licence, issued under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004, regulates emissions from solid fuel combustion, petroleum storage, and coal handling, establishing specific operational requirements, emission limits, and monitoring obligations for a period not exceeding five years.
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Document type: Statement
FAQs: South Africa's Wholesale Electricity Market
The South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM) is a proposed short-term trading platform for bulk electricity, expected to commence at the end of 2026. Governed by the Market Code and Rules, it allows power producers and large buyers to trade electricity one day ahead or in real-time. While intended to increase competition and transparency, concerns are raised regarding the conflict of interest since the Market Operator is housed within the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), a subsidiary of Eskom. The document highlights that the market's design could either facilitate a transition to affordable renewable energy or entrench fossil fuel generation and financial risks for municipalities.
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Document type: Fact sheet
COAL BASELOAD INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS – STATUS OF THE POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, has written to Eskom to challenge the procurement of two coal-fired independent power producers (IPPs): Thabametsi and Khanyisa. The CER argues that these projects are not 'value for money' as they would increase system costs by 19.6 billion Rand, raise greenhouse gas emissions, and risk becoming stranded assets. The letter highlights that the projects lack necessary licenses and are subject to pending High Court reviews. It requests detailed information on the status of the PPAs, the 'value for money' assessment, and compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and New Generation Regulations.
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Document type: Statement
Governing Mining Towns: Case of Lephalale
The document examines the governance of Lephalale, a mining town in Limpopo, South Africa, arguing that the municipality's lack of land ownership and institutional capacity has allowed private mining interests, specifically Exxaro and Eskom, to maintain control over urban development. It highlights how the Medupi power station project exposed these weaknesses, leading to the creation of the Lephalale Development Forum (LDF), which the author describes as a parallel administration that prioritizes corporate interests over democratic spatial integration.
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Document type: Research paper
ADDITIONAL WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THE INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN (IRP) UPDATE: ASSUMPTIONS, BASE CASE RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS, REVISION 1 AND ON THE DRAFT INTEGRATED ENERGY PLAN (IEP)
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, submitted additional comments to the South African Department of Energy regarding the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Integrated Energy Plan (IEP). The CER argues that these plans must incorporate missing cost calculations for coal and nuclear energy, as well as findings from recent studies suggesting that accelerating the decommissioning of coal plants and cancelling new coal and nuclear capacity is the most cost-effective path for Eskom and the national grid.
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Document type: Statement