We are by far the highest carbon emitter per capita in Africa, in fact companies like SASOL are the most polluting operation to be found in the world, but paradoxically it is these companies (ESKOM) that are subsidising the implementation of Green Tech, like the solar geyser rebate system.

The installation of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) technology at the Medupi coal-fired power station, the construction of which will be part funded by a $3,75-billion loan from the World Bank, has been confirmed as a loan-package condition.

The technology, which will reduce sulphur-dioxide emissions, would have to be retrofitted, owing to the fact that it had not been included in the plant’s original design. This would add to the project’s capital cost, and its water consumption.

The bank published its ‘Project Appraisal’ document for the controversial loan on Tuesday, which shows that Eskom will need to develop, adopt and thereafter implement a FGD programme across each of the plant’s six power generation units by no later than June 30, 2013.

It is also stipulated that FGD equipment for the first generation unit must commence on the later of either the sixth anniversary of the commissioning date, or by March 31, 2018. The FGD equipment for all six generation units would need to be installed and be fully operational by no later than December 31, 2021.

The FGD installation between 2018 and 2021 will be aligned to the scheduled operational maintenance programme of the Medupi units, which would be taken off-line for routine maintenance after six years of operation.

The bank notes that the sulphur content of the coal to be used at Medupi, which is calculated at 1,4% by weight, together with the large scale of the plant, some 4 800 MW, meant that sulphur-dioxide emissions could have a “significant adverse environmental impact”.

Therefore, sulphur-dioxide emissions would have to be removed using a “wet FGD” solution, or a gypsum process, using limestone located at Kraalhoek and Dwaalboom, some 180 km from the Lephalale site.

The process would increase the plant’s water consumption and the World Bank has, thus, flagged for possible concern the fact that sufficient water might not be available in time for the commissioning of the last three units or the FGD equipment.

“Progress on the project to supply the required amount of water is on schedule. Nevertheless, the Bank has requested evidence from the Department of Water Affairs to Eskom, committing to timely water supply,” the document states.

The water allocation is dependent on the availability of water from the Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation project, which is not expected to become available until 2014 at the earliest.

The FGD system is expected to add at least $150/kW to the final capital cost, while yearly water consumption, including FGD, will rise to 12-million m³.

The total cost of Medupi is estimated at about $12,1-billion.

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