Delayed Decommissioning of Eskom's Power Plants Could Lead to 92,000 Deaths

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research group based in Helsinki, Finland, has recently released a startling report indicating the profound impact of delayed decommissioning of Eskom's power plants in South Africa. According to their research, these plants could cause an estimated 92,000 deaths over their remaining operational period.

Earlier this year, CREA also publicized another report highlighting that air pollution emanating from Eskom's coal power plants could induce approximately 79,500 fatalities from 2025 up until the intended closing dates of these plants. This particular study was constructed based on the assumption that Eskom's Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) with a 2022 schedule will be adhered to. However, the ERP has brought some postponements in decommissioning, notably when contrasted with the schedule set forth in the Integrated Resources Plan of 2019.