Cape Town – Eskom has warned that the country could soon face Stage 8 load shedding after the Department of Environmental Affairs rejected the power utility’s application to allow it to pollute more than the legal requirement.
Eskom had sought pollution exemptions for some of its power stations.
However, its application was declined.
“Eskom’s request for postponements at Matla, Duvha, Matimba, Medupi and Lethabo [power stations] were declined completely. Postponement applications for Majuba, Tutuka, Kendal, and Kriel were partially granted. Eskom has reviewed the decisions and believes they will have a very significant impact on Eskom’s ability to provide electricity,” said Eskom in a statement on Wednesday.
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It continued: “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.”
Speaking during an interview with eNCA, Eskom senior official Diedre Herbst said the power utility had appealed the decision taken by the department.
“We have asked for remediation so we hope to engage with DMARI, the DPPE, the department of environment and find a balanced solution which improves and reduces the impact on health but also addresses the financial burden that this will create,” said Herbst.
Look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
Honestly as a country we have been accepting the bare minimum for so long. It’s not normal to have blackouts every 2 weeks. The fact that they are even comfortable with telling us that stage 8 could be implemented and it’s business as usual is astounding
— Lebone_Molepo (@LeboneMolepo) December 15, 2021
We’ve never had stage 8 before, why stage 8 ka December. This will increase crime nje.
— Tomi Rikhotso (@TomiRikhotso) December 15, 2021
Stage 8 means that almost 14 hours of the day we will not have electricity, that’s almost 60% of day with no power. This country is wild wild.
— Thendo Muloiwa (@MuloiwaThendo) December 15, 2021
Eskom must just say that they don’t wanna supply us with electricity once, what the hell is stage 8 nje?? pic.twitter.com/eWdQdRCg5A
— Bonginkosi Linda Nkosi (@lindz_malindz) December 15, 2021
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
