Introduction
Coal-fired power plants provide electricity to 80% of South Africans, making them a substantial source of ambient air pollution in South Africa. Large amounts of particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere. Coal-fired power station emissions have been related to various health issues in South Africa and the world at large.
Over 29000 Deaths in South Africa as a result of Ambient Air Pollution
The State of Global Air report highlights air pollution as the second leading risk factor for African countries like Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, causing 1.1 million deaths annually. Environmental justice groups, groundwork, and the Vukani Environmental Justice Movement appealed to the Pretoria High Court, arguing that air pollution violates Section 24 of the South African Constitution, denying residents of Mpumalanga Highveld the right to a healthy environment. Unfortunately, the government has shown little compassion for the inhabitants who are forced to live with the consequences of breathing polluted air. Residents have suffered from strokes, lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory illnesses in children.
The South African Government Has Delayed the Transition of Coal Plants to Green Energy
Although wealthier countries such as France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the European Union have offered alternatives to coal energy, South Africa has slipped to 14th place in terms of the country’s contribution to global air pollution. However, the South African government has postponed the removal of 14 coal-fired power facilities by 2030, 12 of which are located in the Highveld. Vikesh Rajpaul, who runs the Just Energy Transition office at Eskom, said “Life extensions are not being considered for the ageing plants, but some units may have to be kept open longer than planned to address the electricity crisis”.
Thus meaning, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) goal of reaching zero net carbon emission by 2050 will have to be postponed in South Africa.
The Impact of Postponed Energy Transition on the South African Citizens
Former Eskom CEO Andrew de Ruyter goes into greater detail in his book about the culture of corruption, which may be the main reason why the government decided to delay the transfer, South Africa currently pays a high tax rate of 56% on export which is the carbon broader tax implemented by the EU, and if it doesn’t switch to green energy, it will lose market share. South Africa is under water stress as a result of climate change and Eskom’s colossal water consumption. The difference could assist in returning over 40 billion gallons of water to the dams.
Conclusion
South Africans face more than just the daily problem of ten hours of load shedding; their lives and health are also in danger. The transition’s delay could worsen South Africa’s already fragile economy.