Eskom warns the country could face Stage 8 blackouts, after the Department of Environmental Affairs rejected Eskom’s application to allow it to pollute more than is legally allowed.
It had applied for exemptions from minimum air-quality standards for its Matimba and Medupi power stations in Limpopo.
Eskom is appealing the decision, which will see about 16,000 megawatts taken off the grid.
This will lead Eskom being forced to charge 30% more for electricity from next year and potentially implement continuous load-shedding if it does not get exemptions from pollution limits at its coal power stations.
Stage 8 load-shedding allows 8,000MW shedding of electricity from the grid, double that of Stage 4.
That means households and businesses could expect to be without electricity for 12 hours each day.
The appeal means that Eskom is exempted from the limits, for now.
Eskom warns the country could soon face Stage 8 blackouts. That is after the environment department rejected Eskom’s application to allow it to pollute more than is legally allowed. #SouthAfricanMorning #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/Usnds932mE
— eNCA (@eNCA) December 15, 2021
Sources: eNCA, My Broadband
Follow FiND iT here
Also read Liquor industry fear alcohol restrictions for festive season
