Air Quality Offsets Programme
Eskom is
pursuing a multi-pronged approach to improving ambient air quality, including
reducing emissions at the existing coal-fired fleet, investing in power
generation from renewables and nuclear, and implementing air quality offsets.
Retrofitting abatement technology and diversifying the energy mix are
extremely costly and take a long time to implement.
The Air
Quality Officers in the affected district municipalities have directed Eskom
(through Atmospheric Emissions Licences issued to its power stations) to
implement air quality offsets in communities affected by Eskom operations. Air
quality offsets address emissions sources directly within vulnerable
communities, targeting greater improvement in community-experienced air quality
than is achievable from other approaches. In addition, such offsets are more
cost effective and result in meaningful improvement of air quality within a
shorter time frame.
Eskom has
initiated an Air Quality Offset (AQO) Programme. The aim of the programme is to
identify and test possible air quality offset interventions and to implement
the most feasible interventions. To give effect to the programme, Eskom has
developed Air Quality Offset Implementation Plans (3 of) four power stations in Nkangala, Gert Sibande
and Fezile Dabi District Municipalities.