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BUSA welcomes the decision by the minister to grant Eskom the conditional right to operate Kusile without the use of flue gas desulphurization.

We welcome the decision within a context of South Africa being in a state of disaster, and the continued integrity of the electricity depends on Medupi and Kusile being operational. The decision by the minister signals urgency in a time of crisis.

BUSA notes that the exemption in terms of s59(1) of the National Environment Management: Air Quality Act (NEMAQA) is conditional and does not serve as a permanent exemption or postponement. BUSA will closely monitor the stipulated timeframes and progress on the remedial work Eskom needs to undertake on Kusile.

South Africa is in unprecedented times and the electricity crisis requires extraordinary decisions.

As NEMAQA is key is ensuring that South Africans live in a healthy environment, Eskom needs to guarantee the completion of repairs to Kusile in line with conditions set out in the exemption and must undergo public consultation with affected communities in order to mitigate the consequences of this decision. Air quality and climate change mitigation measures are critical to the sustainability of the economy and society, this measure by the minister is an indication of how fragile our electricity system is and in turn how vulnerable our economy is.

It is a tough juggling act, but we are encouraged that in implementing its remedial interventions on Kusile and in implementing its turn-around strategy, Eskom will be doing so with a view of enhancing its implementation and contribution to a just transition to a low carbon economy.

Issued by BUSA