Eskom’s Coal-Fired Plants Among the World’s Worst Air Polluters, Report Says

The Major Air Polluters in Africa report, published in collaboration with the Centre For Research on Energy and Clean Air, has accused Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., South Africa’s state power company, of operating some of the world’s worst emission sites for toxic nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. According to the report, coal-fired plants operated by Eskom account for five of the world’s 10 biggest single-source nitrogen-dioxide emission sites and two of the 10 worst sulfur-dioxide sites.

Eskom disputes these findings and claims that at ground level, its plants mostly comply with South African nitrogen-dioxide emission levels, with any non-compliance being attributed to nearby vehicle traffic and other industrial sources. However, the company acknowledges that South Africa heavily relies on coal for more than 80% of its electricity generation, leading to some of the world’s worst air pollution. Despite having emission standards that are less stringent than those in China and India, enforcement is lacking.

In response to the report, Eskom stated that it has taken steps to reduce emissions from its coal-fired plants. Its newest coal-fired plants have low NOx burners to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions and flue-gas desulfurization units to reduce sulfur-dioxide emissions. However, an accident at Kusile plant has caused equipment malfunction which currently bypasses NOx burners and flue gas desulfurization units.

The report highlights the need for stricter emission standards and better enforcement in South Africa to address air pollution caused by coal mining and power generation.