Stage 8 load-shedding and 30% price increases – Eskom warns of pollution limit problems. Eskom is at it again, as their New Years’ gift to us is likely going to be stage 8 load-shedding.
This potential coal in the stocking gift comes with the condition, however.
This will only be the case should Eskom not get exemption from pollution limits at its coal power stations, as Eskom senior manager Deidre Herbst stated in an interview with eNCA today, December 15.
Eskom applied for certain exemptions from minimum air quality standards for its Matimba and Medupi power stations but was reportedly denied.
In a letter refusing the application, National Air Quality Officer Thuli Khumalo said the Minimum Emission Standards were first published in 2010 and Eskom “made minimal effort to fully comply with the standards”.
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“If implemented, the decision will result in an immediate shutting down of 16 000MW of installed coal-fired capacity. This would have a significant negative impact on the economy and employment, particularly in Mpumalanga and Lephalale, and delay the country’s plans for a just energy transition toward a cleaner electricity supply,” Eskom said on Wednesday as per the South African Government.
The power utility said it is engaging the DFFE, the Public Enterprises Department and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the matter.
“Eskom is committed to its mandate to supply stable electricity in an efficient and sustainable manner and enable economic growth. We aim to do this in an environmentally responsible manner that takes into consideration the need to reduce local air pollution and is in line with the country’s climate change commitments”.
“If we comply, we will need to switch off with immediate effect, and that would result in stage 8 load-shedding, continuously,” Herbst told eNCA.
Stage 8 load-shedding allows for shedding 8,000MW of electricity from the grid, which is double that of Stage 4.
That means households and businesses could expect to be without electricity for roughly 12 hours each day – if all goes according to schedule.
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Picture: Supplied