By Johannah Malogadihlare
Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Department Minister Dion George has warned Eskom of not meeting minimum emission standards and delaying critical energy reform.
He said on Wednesday that the government would not grant it unchecked permission to pollute.
“Government cannot grant Eskom a blanket waiver to continue polluting without accountability,” George said in a statement.
The minister will announce his decision on Eskom’s application for exemptions from minimum emission standards on Monday.
George highlighted that the complexity of the issue would require balancing South Africa’s energy needs to drive economic growth with the constitutional right to a healthy environment.
“South Africa cannot remain trapped in a persistent cycle of energy insecurity and environmental degradation that harms public health. South Africans have had to endure rolling blackouts, rising cost, and economic stagnation as a result of Eskom’s inefficiencies,” George said.
He also said Eskom’s monopoly over electricity generation
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