Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
In line with the Stockholm Convention, Eskom is committed to
the phasing out of PCBs by 2025. We have implemented stringent
management practices relating to PCBs. These cover the handling,
disposal, storage, testing and labelling of PCB-contaminated
equipment, the compiling of inventories and the development
of phase-out plans that meet the requirements of the Stockholm
Convention.
Ash
Of the approximately 36 million tons (2007: 34 million tons)
of coal ash produced at the coal-fired power stations over the
12-month period, 7,0% (2007: 6,3%) was recycled. This recycled
ash from Lethabo, Matla, Kendal and Majuba power stations is
used in the production of cement.
The remaining ash is disposed of in ash dams and dumps next
to our power stations. These are then rehabilitated to control
fugitive dust.
Nuclear
The low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from Koeberg
power station is sealed in steel drums and concrete containers
respectively. This waste is disposed of at the Vaalputs national
radioactive waste repository. This is a near-surface disposal site
for radioactive waste, licensed by the National Nuclear Regulator
and operated by Necsa. All the spent fuel (high-level waste) from
the power station is stored in the power station in fuel pools.
The increase in the disposal of intermediate-level radioactive
waste was due to two shutdowns at the Koeberg nuclear power
station for maintenance and refuelling of the reactor, whereas
there is normally only one shutdown at Koeberg during the
reporting year.
Looking forward
Eskom volunteered to participate in the Mpumalanga
provincial waste reporting initiative. The outcome of this was
the development of a hazardous waste management plan for
Mpumalanga. Following this initiative, Eskom has committed itself
to participating in DEAT’s national rollout of the South African
waste information system (SAWIS). Eskom has set a target of
phasing out all asbestos-containing material by 2033.
South Africa is party to international agreements on the proper management of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), their end-of-use, and their destruction within specified time frames. These agreements include UNEP’s 2001 Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants and the 1989 Basel Convention on trans‑boundary movement of hazardous waste. With regard to the elimination of the use of PCBs in equipment (for example, transformers, capacitors, or other receptacles containing liquid stocks), the Stockholm Convention outlines specific requirements with respect to the management of their phase-out by 2025.
In March 2008, the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism announced a prohibition on the use, processing, or manufacturing of any asbestos or asbestos-containing products. These regulations do not prohibit the continued use of asbestos-containing materials (such as asbestos-cement roof sheets or ceilings) that are already in place, as the Department is satisfied that there is no undue risk to the occupants of houses that are fitted with these materials. Over time, however, they should be replaced with asbestos-free materials.
Environmental expenditure
Funds were allocated for environmental capital and operational expenditures. These amounted to R1,3 billion on capital projects and R460 million on operational environmental activities (2007: R616 million capital and R362 million operational). The increase in capital expenditure is due to the capital expansion programme. The largest component was on air quality management at coal-fired power stations, water management, rehabilitation at coal mines and expenditure on environmental impact assessments for power stations, power line and substation construction projects, waste and sewage management, rehabilitation of land and control of vegetation.
Environmental management systems
Environmental management tools such as management
systems, audits, monitoring and measurement, and EIAs
are used to control our activities and work towards
continual improvement.
Many parts of Eskom have received ISO 14001 standard
certification, while the rest of the group undertakes
audits and management reviews to ensure that the
requirements of the standards are achieved.
- Corporate Services division
- corporate sustainability department
- Transmission division
- Eskom Enterprises (Pty) Limited
- Rotek Industries (Pty) Limited
- Roshcon (Pty) Limited
- Oil laboratories
- PTM division
|
