By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy, has given Eskom the go-ahead to exceed sulphur dioxide emission limits at the Kusile power station in a bid to alleviate South Africa’s severe electricity crisis.
Subject to several conditions, Creecy on Tuesday exempted Eskom from amending its Atmospheric Emission Licence to reflect these additional emissions from the Kusile, subject to certain strict conditions.
Eskom was granted the exemption – in terms of Section 59 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act – in relation to a temporary solution to restore lost generation capacity at Kusile while a damaged stack undergoes repairs which are due for completion in December 2024.
Creecy says Eskom’s application had been brought due to the urgent need to alleviate the electricity crisis.
The temporary solution proposed for Kusile envisages that Eskom will operate the temporary stacks without the use of the Flue Gas Delsuphurisation mechanism for a period of 13 months.
This is likely to result in increased sulphur dioxide emissions during this period, in excess of the current applicable limit contained in Kusile’s Atmospheric Emission License.
“Eskom’s request pertains to a temporary solution to restore lost generation capacity at its Kusile Power Station while a damaged stack undergoes repairs which are due for completion in December 2024.
“In the interim, Eskom plans to construct the temporary stacks by November 2023, which it anticipates will allow the resumption of generation capacity of 2100MW which will reduce the country’s exposure to load shedding by two levels,” said the Minister.
The exemption granted to Eskom has several conditions attached to it, including measures to mitigate against the exposure of its employees and surrounding communities to harm.
Eskom will now need to apply to the national air quality officer for a once-off postponement with the compliance timeframes for minimum emission standards for new plants.
The once-off postponement with the compliance timeframes for minimum emission standards for new plants can only be valid until 31 March 2025.