BUSA welcomes the decision by the minister to grant Eskom the conditional right to operate
Kusile without the use of flue gas desulphurization. We welcome the decision within a
context of South Africa being in a state of disaster, and the continued integrity of the
electricity depends on Medupi and Kusile being operational. The decision by the minister
signals urgency in a time of crisis.
BUSA notes that the exemption in terms of s59(1) of the National Environment Management:
Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) is conditional and does not serve as a permanent exemption or
postponement. BUSA will closely monitor the stipulated timeframes and progress on the
remedial work Eskom needs to undertake on Kusile. South Africa is in unprecedented times
and the electricity crisis requires extraordinary decisions.
As NEMAQA is key is ensuring that South Africans live in a healthy environment, Eskom
needs to guarantee the completion of repairs to Kusile in line with conditions set out in the
exemption and must undergo public consultation with affected communities in order to
mitigate the consequences of this decision. Air quality and climate change mitigation
measures are critical to the sustainability of the economy and society, this measure by the
minister is an indication of how fragile our electricity system is and in turn how vulnerable our
economy is.
It is a tough juggling act, but we are encouraged that in implementing its remedial
interventions on Kusile and in implementing its turn-around strategy, Eskom will be doing so
with a view of enhancing its implementation and contribution to a just transition to a low
carbon economy.
ENDS
Happy Khambule
Business Unity SA Energy & Environment Manager
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For more information, please contact:
Sizwe Maswanganye
Tel: 011 784 8000/0766516444
Email: sizwe.maswanganye@busa.org.z