Karpowership SA to appeal decision to reject its power at ports project
Karpowership SA has vowed to appeal a decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment to deny it permission to provide floating gas-fired power ships at three ports.
The department has turned down the application for environmental authorisation to approve electricity by the energy company.
There has been a public outcry after the company was awarded a 20-year contract, by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, to locate three floating power plants at three ports at Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha.
But the department’s spokesperson Albi Modise says the deal is now dead in the water.
"The Competent Authority in the department has decided after due consideration of all relevant information presented as part of the environmental impact assessment process for all three applications in question, to refuse the applications for the environmental authorisations."
Environmental lobby group, Green Connection, lodged an objection during the environmental impact assessment process.
The company is confident it will be successful in appealing this application.
"Karpowership SA conducted a robust public participation process, met all South Africa's stringent environmental requirements, and is confident that it will win the appeal against this decision," says marketing manager Nkululeko Dhlamini.
"South Africans should understand that the decision on behalf of the DFFE threatens the delivery of this power and will extend load shedding for years to come."
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