An Eskom-commissioned report has revealed that deaths caused by air pollution from its coal power stations would increase once all the stations had been built.
The report found that air pollution from the parastatal’s two coal power stations in two provinces killed at least 20 people a year.
The report, conducted by Airshed Planning Professionals, suggested that “[currently] Eskom power stations are cumulatively calculated to be responsible for 17 non-accidental mortalities per year and 661 respiratory hospital admissions”.
The report further estimated that this number could leap to 617, with 24 842 people being hospitalised nationally once all its stations were functioning.
“I will write to the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and request that Eskom be brought before the committee to account for this report and provide a plan to curb these coal plant-related casualties,” said DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, Natasha Michael.
“It’s clear our over-reliance on coal has had devastating consequences on our local and global environment. South Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions are on par with that of highly developed economies and our per capita emissions are amongst the highest in the world.
“Eskom’s giant coal power stations like Medupi and Kusile have already costs South Africans billions in delays and now it would appear will cost them their very lives.”
Medupi alone was projected to kill an average of one person a year, and the pollution from Eskom’s projects in Mpumalanga was estimated to kill 16 people a year, she added.
However, the power giant refuted these claims.
“The claim that people could perish every year from illnesses related to air pollution when all Eskom’s power plants come on stream is based on some incorrect assumptions, and has not taken into account measures that Eskom has and will be implementing to mitigate emissions from its power stations,” said Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger.
He said the estimations in the report were calculated based on plans for the parastatal to build two large coal-fired power stations – one in the Free State and another in Mpumalanga which had since been abandoned.
Etzinger added that flue gas desulphurization, which would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90 percent would be installed at Kusile prior to commissioning and on Medupi between 2021 and 2024.
“In addition, Kusile and Medupi will have fabric filter plants which reduce particulate emissions by more than 99.9 percent, and low NOx [mono-nitrogen oxides] burners which lower NOx emissions.”
As a result, he said, the commissioning of the new power stations would not result in a significant deterioration in ambient air quality, or a significant increase in health risks.
Further, preparation for an extensive emission reduction programme is underway at Eskom to reduce emissions through the installation of filters at existing power stations.
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