Eskom in the Spotlight for World’s Worse Nitrogen-Dioxide and Sulfur-Dioxide Emissions: A Greenpeace Report

The Major Air Polluters in Africa report, released by Greenpeace 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.

However, Eskom has disputed the findings of this report. In response, the company stated that the satellite interpretation of high levels of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere was used to link them to ground-level health impacts. Eskom 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.

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. To address these concerns, Eskom has installed low NOx burners in its newest coal-fired plants to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions and flue-gas desulfurization units to reduce sulfur-dioxide emissions. However, an accident at Kusile power plant has caused equipment malfunction that currently bypasses these measures.