Stern warning to Eskom

South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Dion George has issued a stern warning to Eskom regarding its application for exemptions from minimum emissions standards.

In a statement, the Minister said he believes Eskom has the power to reform but added that there will be consequences if it doesn’t.

George plans to announce his decision on the power utility’s emission exemption application on Monday, 31 March 2025.

“South Africans have had to endure rolling blackouts, rising costs, and economic stagnation as a result of Eskom’s inefficiencies,” he said.

“The government cannot grant Eskom a blanket waiver to continue polluting without accountability.”

George says Eskom must accelerate its reform process and support the nation’s energy transition.

“Eskom must either comply with emissions regulations and accelerate its transition, or it will face the consequences,” he warned.

“The transition to renewable energy is not negotiable. South Africa’s economic future depends on more renewable energy entering the grid, not less.”

George warned that the South African government won’t tolerate inaction.

“We are committed to ensuring that South Africa has a future-proof energy sector. The time for endless delays and excuses is over,” he added.

However, George noted the complexity of permitting or denying Eskom’s emission exemptions.

He said South Africa must balance its energy requirements to drive economic growth while maintaining a healthy environment.

Eskom’s application concerns minimum emissions standards exemptions at four coal-fired power stations it plans to continue operating after 2030, namely, the Duvha, Kendal, Matla, and Tutuka power stations.

It told Engineering News about its application in June 2024.

This came after former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Barbara Creecy permitted Eskom to continue operating Hendrina, Grootvlei, Arnot, Camden, and Kriel at existing minimum emission standards plant limits until 31 March 2030.

She said these power stations must be decommissioned thereafter.

Her decision came after Eskom appealed the National Air Quality Officer’s minimum emissions standards decision in October 2023, which Eskom said would force it to shut down 30,000MW of capacity.

This is because retrofitting the generating units to meet pollution limits would be too expensive, at around R300 billion.

Eskom’s exemptions challenged in court

In early January 2025, non-profit organisations GroundWork Trust and Earthlife Africa revealed that they had approached the Pretoria High Court to challenge the emissions exemptions at eight of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations.

If successful, it could make frequent load-shedding a reality in South Africa once again.

GroundWork Trust director Bobby Peek said the country could save around $41.7 billion (R760 billion) by complying with the emissions standard negotiated in 2004 and 2010.

“We’ll be able to save South Africa $41.7 billion over the life of the power stations because of avoiding debts due to the air pollution,” said Peek.

“Eskom says if we had to follow the standard, there’s going to be load-shedding and an economic cost to society, but we don’t have the evidence for that. We haven’t seen the figures.”

“Research shows that if they’re in compliance, we’ll save our economy, and we’ll save people’s health,” he added.

The organisations wanted the High Court to set aside decisions made by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment and the National Air Quality Officer.

Eight coal-fired power stations granted exemptions, including Camden, Hendrina, Arnot, Grootvlei, and Kriel, were intended to be retired between 2023 and 2027.

The organisations argued that Eskom hadn’t provided clear decommissioning schedules, as required by law, without which the Minister and air quality officer can’t evaluated whether sufficient precautions have been taken and whether all risks have been assessed.