In the past week, the Life After Coal Campaign (which comprises: the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), Earthlife Africa, and groundWork) has instituted fresh court proceedings against the Minister of Environmental Affairs in relation to the proposed Thabametsi independent power producer (IPP) coal-fired power station. The Campaign has also made further written and oral … [Read more...]
Climate and water threatening Thabametsi coal plant still on the cards
The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) could be giving the go-ahead for what will be one of the most greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensive coal-fired power stations, not only in South Africa, but in the world. Its GHG emissions are likely to be 60% higher than Eskom’s new Medupi and Kusile coal plants. This is apparent from the final climate change impact assessment … [Read more...]
No air pollution increases allowed for Kriel Power Station
Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (ELA), groundWork and the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) welcome the decision of Nkangala District Municipality (NDM) largely to refuse Eskom’s request to relax its atmospheric emission license for its Kriel Power Station in Mpumalanga. Eskom applied to amend the license in November 2013, notwithstanding that the MEC for the Mpumalanga … [Read more...]
Our precarious power supply: prepare for the worst
Our electricity supply is becoming more and more precarious. Eskom should be able to supply 42 GW of electricity but on a regular basis it can only supply only around 30 GW. The grid infrastructure is overloaded which puts a large burden on transformers which are reaching end of life in half of their usual life, ie 12 years life instead of 25 years life. Our grid itself is … [Read more...]
SAPIA raises concern about low power demand projections
According to the South Africa Independent Power Producers Association (Sapia), due caution should be exercised when pursuing a reduced energy intensity in an economy that requires further industrialisation and beneficiation, in parallel with increased investment in the knowledge and service aspects of a more developed economy. It says South Africa would do a terrible … [Read more...]
Eskom up for worst corporation award
Eskom is in the running to win the international award for this year’s worst corporation in the annual Public Eye Awards, taking place parallel to the World Economic Forum. The power utility supplies 90% of South Africa’s electricity needs through its 18 coal-fired power stations. Eskom has applied for two-thirds of its coal-fired power stations to be exempt from and/or … [Read more...]
Green Scorpions expose Eskom’s eco crimes
Power supplier Eskom is breaking more environmental laws than any other state corporation, according to the latest National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report. Released by Environment Minister Edna Molewa on Thursday, it also reveals that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) cannot, under current legislation, prosecute the utility in this regard. “Eskom … [Read more...]
Coherent vision needed for green energy roadmap
South Africa is at a cross roads: Now is the time to give a clear direction away from fossil fuels. What we need is a coherent, consistent vision which creates a sustainable road-map for South Africa and green energy access for all South Africans. This is the Greenpeace response to the publication of South Africa’s National Development Plan, which it welcomes. Yet it begs … [Read more...]
Coal power expansion threatens farmers in India
A looming water crisis could be worsened under an Indian government plan to massively expand coal-fired power generation in the Vidarbha region, raising investment risks and the potential for social unrest, a new Greenpeace India report has warned. In South Africa, Eskom’s decision to build two mega coal power stations (Medupi and Kusile) also poses a similar threat to the … [Read more...]
