A far-reaching announcement on Eskom’s application for exemption from minimum emission standards for eight of its coal-fired power stations will be made on Monday by forestry, fisheries & environment minister Dion George.
From a statement issued by George’s department last week ahead of the announcement it seems likely that any exemptions granted will be tied to conditions as George made it clear the government would not grant Eskom “unchecked permission to pollute.
“The government cannot grant Eskom a blanket waiver to continue polluting without accountability,” George said, insisting that Eskom had to accelerate its reform process and support the nation’s energy transition.
According to the department’s chief director for communication and advocacy, Peter Mbelengwa, Eskom filed applications in December 2024 for exemptions from minimum emission standards for each of its eight coal-fired power stations, namely: Duvha, Kendal, Lethabo, Majuba, Matimba, Matla, Medupi and Tutuka in terms of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act.
These power stations collectively contribute 29,000MW to the electricity grid.
The act’s air quality regulations specify that coal power plants must meet the limits by a certain time or they would be noncompliant and unable to operate legally.
Eskom explained in reply to questions by Business Day that in May last year former minister of forestry, fisheries and environment Barbara Creecy issued a ruling that required Eskom to submit exemption requests for power plants operating beyond 2030.
Creecy granted Eskom permission to suspend minimum emission standards at its Hendrina, Grootvlei, Arnot, Camden and Kriel power stations until March 31 2030, after which the stations would be decommissioned.
In the statement George emphasised the complexity of Eskom’s exemption application, noting that it required balancing SA’s energy needs to drive economic growth with the constitutional right to a healthy environment.
“South Africans have had to endure rolling blackouts, rising costs and economic stagnation as a result of Eskom’s inefficiencies,” he stated.
“SA cannot remain trapped in a persistent cycle of energy insecurity and environmental degradation that harms public health. Eskom has consistently failed to meet minimum emission standards and has delayed critical energy reforms,” the statement said.
Eskom has consistently failed to meet minimum emission standards and has delayed critical energy reforms.
George said the government would not tolerate inaction by Eskom.
“Eskom must either comply with emissions regulations and accelerate its transition, or it will face the consequences,” he warned. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a stable, clean energy sector, stating: “We are committed to ensuring that SA has a future-proof energy sector. The time for endless delays and excuses is over.”
The statement noted that Eskom’s monopoly over electricity generation and transmission had stifled competition, slowed the adoption of renewable energy, and left SA exposed to energy insecurity.
The minister stressed the need for a shift to renewable energy. “The transition to renewable energy is not negotiable,” he said. “SA’s economic future depends on more renewable energy entering the grid, not less.” He highlighted that dependence on Eskom’s ageing coal fleet increased costs and undermined competitiveness.
George has directed Eskom to decommission its worst-performing power stations responsibly.
“Those that fail to meet environmental standards and contribute disproportionately to pollution must be retired in a structured and responsible manner, without leaving anyone behind,” he said. “SA cannot remain hostage to outdated infrastructure and poor governance at the expense of its future.”
In 2023 Creecy granted Eskom an exemption from air quality regulations to enable it to build temporary stacks at Kusile power station and operate without the flue gas desulphurisation mechanism for 13 months after the stacks were damaged.
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