Question NW3780 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
08 January 2024 - NW3780
Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to Eskom’s required Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) reports published on the Eskom website data portal; (a) how does Eskom plan to address the specified issue moving forward to ensure consistent and transparent reporting on AEL compliance for all power stations and (b) what are the full details of any corrective actions and/or initiatives that have been undertaken by Eskom to rectify the reporting gaps and improve compliance monitoring in relation to the AEL? (2) Whether Eskom faced any regulatory and/or enforcement actions due to the lack of regular reporting on AEL; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (3) (a) What steps is Eskom taking to enhance transparency and accountability in reporting on atmospheric emissions and (b) how will stakeholders be kept informed about progress in this regard? NW4996E
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom:
(1)(a)The atmospheric emission license (AEL) emissions reports are compiled monthly and submitted to the licensing authorities by the power stations, and the Head office receives a copy of these reports when it is sent to authorities. Most of the stations are up to date with their submissions to the licensing authorities. However, Eskom experienced a delay in uploading the submitted and completed AEL monthly reports to the Eskom data portal due to issues with system access rights. These issues were resolved in October 2023, and all completed reports have been updated on the portal. Going forward Eskom will keep the portal regularly updated.
(b) The issues in respect of access rights for the uploading of completed AEL reports have been resolved by ensuring that additional staff are trained and have the appropriate system access rights to allow the uploading of completed reports. The delayed publication of the reports on the data portal was not indicative of any gaps in compliance monitoring in relation to the AELs.
(2) There was no lack of regular reporting on AEL compliance to the authorities, and no regulatory and/or enforcement actions were implemented.
(3)(a)(b)Eskom has already published all the available monthly AEL reports as submitted to the authorities onto the public data portal. Eskom will regularly update the portal which is available to the public.
Remarks: Approved/Not Approved/Comment
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date: