Centre for Environmental Rights – Advancing Environmental Rights in South Africa

On 15 December 2021, on behalf of Earlthlife Africa, the Centre for Environmental Rights submitted a PAIA request and letter to Eskom for the following information:

1. Copies of all technical studies on SO2 abating technologies proposed for Medupi power station.
2. Copies of any responses to Requests for Proposals prepared and published to obtain proposals for various SO2 abating technology, including the requests for proposals.
3. Records indicating the number of units of Medupi that are currently online and the projected end of life date for Medupi.
4. Records of the current and projected water requirements for Eskom’s Medupi and Matimba power stations and associated infrastructure for the duration of the anticipated lifespan of each facility.
5. Records relating to all water supply arrangements with the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and/or other suppliers for both Medupi and Matimba power station.
6. Records of any agreements and technical studies recording the planned and intended water supply from the Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation Project Phase 2A (“MCWAP-2”) to Eskom’s Matimba and Medupi power stations.
7. Records of any current and projected costs, and price, paid or to be paid by Eskom for the MCWAP-2 project and water supply to Eskom.
8. Any records such as board meeting minutes, plans and strategy reports and Medupi Flue-gas desulfurization retrofitting.
9. Any updated Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Medupi FGD Retrofit Project.
10. Any studies conducted in the Lephalale area into the impacts of sulphur deposition on vegetation and/or soil.

Response from Eskom

On 7 February 2022, the CER received a response from Eskom as well as the following attachments:

• Attachment A – Responses to CER PAIA request 15 Dec 2021_
• Attachment B – MCWAP Pre-Feasibility Report Water Requirements
• Attachment C – Post-Feasibility Bridging Study Review Report 2015
• Attachment D – MCWAP Feasibility Report – Main Summary Report

On 7 April 2022, Eskom supplemented their PAIA record with the following documents:

• Eskom response 07 April 2022
• Appendix A- Direct Sorbent Injection Feasibility Study
• Appendix B – Medupi FGD Technology Study Report
• Appendix C Briefing Note – Interim SO2 reduction strategy – Medupi DSI

On 23 April 2022, Eskom further supplemented their PAIA record with the following documents:

• Eskom Response 23 May 2022
• Attachment A: Medupi FGD RFI Evaluation Report
• Attachment B: Medupi FGD Extract of Board Minutes held on 12 June 2018
• Attachment C: Medupi FGD Extract of Board Minutes held on 28 October 2020
• Attachment D:  Medupi FGD Extract of Board Minutes held on 30 June 2021
• Attachment E – Power point presentation on Medupi FGD to the World Bank
• Attachment F: Medupi FGD Strategy Report 14 June 2021