Eskom was granted limited exemption for eight (8) of its power stations. An application was submitted in December 2024, requesting Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) be revised and for an extension in time, to comply with Particulate Matter (PM – also known as ash) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) limits at selected power station.
The eight coal-fired power stations are Duvha, Kendal, Lethabo, Majuba, Matimba, Matla, Medupi, and Tutuka.
Eskom sought relief from the Minimum Emission Standards (MES), established under Section 21 of the Act, in line with Section 59 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (NEMAQA).
Dr Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said the decision was actually made in consultation with an expert-the National Environmental Consultative and Advisory (NECA), with stakeholder input from the Centre for Environmental Rights.
At a briefing on Monday, the 31st March 2025, George said “these exemptions are not a blanket reprieve but are tailored to each facility, with stringent conditions to mitigate the impacts of non-compliance with the MES.”
For Duvha and Matla, exemptions are granted until their planned shutdown dates of February 21, 2034, and July 20, 2034, respectively, aligning with Eskom’s decommissioning schedule.
He said this timeline acknowledges their critical role in energy security while ensuring that their operational lifespan is not extended beyond what is necessary, reinforcing that decommissioning remains the long-term solution to emissions reduction.
For the remaining stations—Kendal, Lethabo, Majuba, Medupi, Matimba, and Tutuka—exemptions are capped at five years, expiring on April 1, 2030.
“However, its coal-fired operations have significant environmental and health implications, which I am duty-bound to address under Section 24 of our Constitution, guaranteeing everyone the right to an environment not harmful to their health or well-being, as well as under the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Act, which mandate me to drive emissions reductions and ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Balancing these imperatives—energy security, economic stability, and environmental protection—has guided my decision-making process” said George.
Exemptions come with rigorous conditions, which Eskom must implement at both fleet and plant levels. These include Health Interventions such as the deployment of air quality monitoring stations and a data-free alert app within eight months, the appointment of an environmental health specialist within three months, and an extension of community health screening programs within six months. Mobile clinics and greenspace initiatives will further support affected communities.
Eskom is also directed to expedite its offset programs, expand interventions to 96,000 households within 12 months, and address waste and ash dumps near power stations.
In addition, real-time emissions data must be published immediately, with additional monitoring stations installed within 12 months.
A revised cost-benefit analysis for Medupi’s Flue Gas Desulphurisation is required within six months, alongside studies to flexibilise coal plants and prioritise renewable dispatch.
The Minister also said Eskom must scale up its efforts to support renewable energy initiatives with urgency.
Critical to achieving clean air as swiftly as possible, the rapid implementation of an Independent System Operator (ISO) is essential. An ISO will enhance grid management, prioritise renewable energy dispatch, and ensure a more efficient and transparent transition away from coal, underscoring its pivotal role in meeting our environmental goals.
These conditions, to be incorporated into Eskom’s Atmospheric Emission Licenses, ensure accountability and progress toward compliance.
Eskom said it would review the decision announced by the Minister.
The power utility, said the decision secured the country a total of 29,000MW of electricity to the grid.