The recent report by Greenpeace, in collaboration with the Centre For Research on Energy and Clean Air, has accused South Africa’s state power company, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., of operating some of the world’s worst emission sites for toxic nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. The Major Air Polluters in Africa report claims that 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 has disputed these findings, stating that they were based on satellite interpretation of high levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere, linking them to ground-level health impacts. However, the company maintains 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.
The use of coal as a primary source of energy generation in South Africa is a major contributor 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. To address this issue, Eskom has invested in new technologies such as low NOx burners and flue-gas desulfurization units for its newest coal-fired plants. However, an accident at one of its facilities has resulted in equipment being bypassed, which could lead to higher emissions than intended.