National Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment Minister Dion George has echoed comments made by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa that “The Karpowership projects are dead in the water”.
George issued a 187-page environmental appeal ruling in favour of Karpowership in July, a decision that seemed to re-open the deal to proceed with the Richards Bay harbour “emergency” power plan, from an environmental perspective.
George said that to ensure regulatory efficiency in his department, he had prioritised the finalisation of all pending appeals.
“In my first 100 days, I have considered 65 appeals, ensuring that outstanding matters are addressed promptly and fairly.”
In supporting Ramakgopa’s ruling George said that he looked at the Karpowership and decided the deal “… [It] is not going to go anywhere”.
George noted that a second appeal by Karpowership for Saldanha Bay environmental authorisation had also come before him for decision.
“I have made a decision on it but it is not yet public because it is not yet final. That is a process that is currently happening.”
Despite these assurances environmental justice group Green Connection has called for further clarity from the government on whether the powerships plan is “truly off the table”.
The organisation welcomed Ramokgopa’s assurances and noted: “However, while we are pleased the deal is off, there are serious questions that remain.”
Liz McDaid, of Green Connection, said her organisation would remain “vigilant” until the original Nersa generation licence and all environmental authorisations granted to Karpowership were formally cancelled or withdrawn.
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) law clinic in Cape Town has also called for further reassurances from the government.