SDCEA opposes proposed powership deal
SDCEA, KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum and civil society organisations stood in solidarity at various beaches, including Cuttings Beach in Merebank, in objection to the Karpowership project on Thursday, September 2.
THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk Forum and civil society organisations stood in solidarity at various beaches, including Cuttings Beach in Merebank, in objection to the Karpowership project on Thursday, September 2.
Karpowership SA (KPSA) is a South African company that owns powerships, which are floating gas-fired power plants that are proposed to produce energy that will be fed into the national grid as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPP).
The bid is for three of these ships to be docked along South Africa’s coastline at the ports of Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha as part of the government’s plans to address the loadshedding crisis on an expedited basis.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), however, refused the applications for the environmental authorisations of this project after due consideration of all relevant information presented as part of the environmental impact assessment process. Some of the reasons include a lack of public participation and assessment of the impact the project would have on marine life.
On Tuesday, July 13 KPSA appealed against the DFFE’s decision as it argued that its projects are vital for easing South Africa’s load-shedding crisis by offering the country access to the cleaner, more reliable electricity needed to create a more inclusive economy. The company refutes the claim that it did not conduct a thorough study of the impact of its ships’ underwater noise on the marine environment.
“As a responsible corporate citizen that operates under global standards and best practice, KPSA will ensure and maintain all local and international environmental codes and practices to preserve, protect and enhance South Africa’s oceans, ports and sensitive environmental areas,” reads a KPSA statement.
The final decision on the bid is yet to be announced.
Environmentalist and SDCEA coordinator, Dr Desmond D’sa said, “This proposed 20-year contract is worth more than R218-billion, and will make electricity more expensive for South Africans as the KPSA tariffs depend predominantly on imported fossil fuels, as well as the volatile US dollar to rand exchange rate. This unprecedented 20-year ‘emergency’ contract will tie South Africa into a future dependent on non-renewable, climate-damaging fuels, long after the electricity supply gap has been closed.
“Far cheaper electricity is available in the form of clean, renewable energy at 75c/kWh (wind) or 91c/kWh (solar).
“The pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from these ships are also of great concern. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that KPSA’s application for environmental authorisation has been rejected by the DFFE. While the rejection has since been appealed by KPSA, there is no indication as yet on when the final decision made by DFFE will be announced.
“The minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has also extended the preferred bidders’ deadline to reach financial close to the end of September 2021. By this date, KPSA and the other bidders are required not only to have all of their multiple required authorisations but also to have all of their financings lined up,” said Desmond D’sa.
Fisherfolk voice their concerns
Rishi Ganas: As the chairperson for the Cuttings Beach Fishing Forum I am very concerned. These powerships will cause a lot of damage to the fish and other marine life. Fisherman who fish at the ports near where the powerships are proposed to be place, won’t be allowed to access those areas anymore. This will be adverse to their livelihoods because this is how they survive and provide for their families.
Vish Naidoo: It is very sad to see some of the things that today’s government is doing. Now our oceans, which we live off, are going to be ripped of all its resources and further negatively affect our economy.
Joel Somaru: I had never heard about this project before it was brought up in our forum’s Whatsapp group. Fishing is one of the main sources of food supply and people’s source of income. The fact that it has not been well reported in the media is a problem. We stand together to protest against it because at the end of the day our country is not in a good state and fisherfolk from all over will be affected.
