Eskom Holdings, South Africa’s biggest polluter, has asked for additional emission exemptions at two of its biggest plants, a request that will increase environmental protests against the State-owned utility at a time when it’s already being slammed for rolling power cuts. Eskom, which is struggling to meets its costs and has R454-billion in debt, has applied to the environment ministry to delay complying with sulphur dioxide emission limits at its Medupi coal-fired plant by five years. It’s also seeking permission not to install emission reduction equipment at its Matimba plant at all, saying it’s not cost-effective.
