MEASURING EMISSION IMPACTS
Power stations are required to report their emission performance to the authorities regularly. The power stations’ atmospheric emission license reports, submitted to the authorities, can be accessed on the Eskom Data Portal here: Atmospheric Emission License Reports. Eskom Data Portal
Eskom has an established network of ambient monitoring stations which measure the air quality in communities surrounding its power stations. These ambient stations measure not only the impact of Eskom’s activities but also that of other emission sources such as waste burning, solid fuel burning, agriculture, mining, vehicles and other industries. Eskom makes this information available on a near real-time basis to the South African Ambient Air Quality, click to access the site.
Eskom’s emission performance and impact are also discussed in its annual Integrated Report and in the Sustainability Report, which can be accessed on Eskom Integrated results.
MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS
The maximum emission limits at which stations may operate are set by the Minimum Emission Standards (MES) published under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004). While Eskom is generally able to comply with the MES, it is unable to do so at some stations and units. This is due to issues such as the advanced age of the power stations (most are over 40 years old), technical challenges with installing the required technology (the stations were not designed for these technologies to be installed) and the financial cost of the technology (full MES compliance is estimated to cost R257 billion) and the impact it would have on the electricity tariff (between 3 and 10%).
In 2024, Eskom submitted comprehensive applications to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment for limited exemptions from the MES for eight power stations. The applications are summarised in a fleet summary report, click here to access the report.
MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARD EXEMPTION LEGAL DECISIONS
In March 2025, the Minister for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment issued Eskom a decision in terms of the MES exemption applications. The decision grants Eskom exemption from specific requirements of the MES for Duvha and Matla until 2034, and for Medupi, Matimba, Kendal, Majuba, Tutuka, and Lethabo until 2030. The decision is subject to Eskom complying with multiple conditions related to emission limits and issues such as health and information availability. Click here to access the Minister’s DFFE MES Eskom exemption decision March 2025 and the DFFE MES Eskom Decision Advisor Recommendation March 2025
Eskom was also issued a decision from the Minister of Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment allowing the continued operation of older stations until 2030 in April 2024. Click here to access the Eskom MES appeal decision suspension April 2024
MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS DOCUMENTS FOR COMMENT
The Minister of DFFEs’ March 2025 decision on the MES exemption requires Eskom to make several documents available for stakeholder review and comment. Documents made available for stakeholder comments, along with the due date for comments, are listed below. Comments on the documents should be submitted to [email protected] by the due dates.
