Zululand Observer - Monday

Floating gas-to-power in Bay hit by another delay

- Gugu Myeni

PLANS to moor a floating gas-topower plant at the Port of Richards Bay have hit yet another hurdle as environmen­talists vow not to back down in their opposition to the project.

Environmen­tal groups groundWork (gW) and the South Durban Community Environmen­tal Alliance (SDCEA), represente­d by the Centre for Environmen­tal Rights (CER), are appealing a recent decision to grant the project environmen­tal authorisat­ion.

Karpowersh­ip SA was granted authorisat­ion last month – a decision the company said was a crucial step in its process – with focus shifting towards meeting financial close and finalising agreements with Transnet

National Ports Authority (TNPA), which is now on hold.

The appeal, directed to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmen­t (DFFE) Minister Barbara Creecy, will suspend the authorisat­ion until the appeal is finalised.

“The appellants argue that the Karpowersh­ip is a flawed and expensive approach to addressing the electricit­y crisis, and has the potential to lock the country into an exorbitant contract for many years to come,” CER said in a statement.

“Should the appeal be dismissed, the appellants would be able to approach the High Court in a review applicatio­n.”

The group says the appeal raises ‘numerous points about the defectiven­ess of the prescribed public participat­ion process, including lack of adequate consultati­on with local fishing communitie­s, whose livelihood, cultural ways of life and food security may be impacted’.

Karpowersh­ip SA has, however, consistent­ly argued that its EIA processes have been thorough, and ‘included comprehens­ive and inclusive public participat­ion processes in Richards Bay’.

The company said the decision to grant the project authorisat­ion ‘demonstrat­ed the department’s willingnes­s to objectivel­y evaluate the informatio­n at hand’.

“It is further justificat­ion that our powerships exceed both internatio­nal and South African environmen­tal standards, and we are pleased that this has been recognised,” said a Karpowersh­ip spokespers­on.

 ?? ?? Karpowersh­ip’s Richards Bay plans on hold after appeal
Karpowersh­ip’s Richards Bay plans on hold after appeal

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