Document Type
Article
Abstract
The South African electricity public utility Eskom has embarked on a process to increase utilisation of the ash produced through the electricity generation process at its coal-fired power stations. In the 2014–2015 financial year, 119.2 million tons of coal was consumed, producing 34.4 million tons (28.9%) of ash. About 7% of the Eskom ash is sold from 6 of the 13 coal-fired power stations. Many stations are currently running out of ash storage space, and expansion of the ash disposal facilities is required, which could affect security of supply because of limited ashing areas. Additionally, legislative requirements lead to extra requirements for ash storage facilities, requiring high capital expenditure. Increased utilisation of ash will postpone or ultimately avoid such capital expenditure. The South African legislative framework strictly governs ash utilisation. For this reason, Eskom has rejuvenated its Ash Utilisation Project by submitting an application to the Department of Environmental Affairs on behalf of the industry. Eskom is therefore leading an advocacy campaign for ash utilisation. Ash could play a key role in business development, job creation, skills transfer, and localisation. The development of small brick-making facilities in close proximity to power stations is ideal. It is imperative to develop new markets that consume high volumes of ash, including road construction and agriculture and land rehabilitation. The backfilling of mines with ash provides an opportunity; tied collieries are located in close proximity to power stations and could absorb high volumes of ash and benefit the ability to rehabilitate mines and mine closures cost efficiently. Care needs to be taken for the environmental and health impacts of this application. Multiple benefits can be derived from dealing with ash in an environmentally responsible way. Not only will the environmental footprint be limited, new applications will reduce CO2 emissions, acid mine drainage can be treated, and mine rehabilitation will be supported. Eskom cost reduction benefits could eventually filter through to the electricity consumer in terms of electricity price, and satisfactory socioeconomic benefits can be realised.
First Page
10
Last Page
17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4177/CCGP-D-18-00015.1
Volume
11
Publication Date
1-1-2019
Recommended Citation
Reynolds-Clausen, Kelley, and Nico Singh. 2019. “South Africa’s Power Producer’s Revised Coal Ash Strategy and Implementation Progress.” Coal Combustion and Gasification Products 11 (1): 10–17. https://doi.org/10.4177/CCGP-D-18-00015.1.
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Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Geological Engineering Commons
