Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) have criticised the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) decision to select preferred bidders under the first bid window for independent coal baseload power plants.
The Life After Coal Network says the expansion of coal-fired power generation through the Coal Baseload Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (CBIPPPP) is not compatible with South Africa’s commitments to keep global warming to 1.5 ºC above pre-industrial levels, or even to an increase of 2 ºC above that level.
Life After Coal is a joint campaign by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), groundWork and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg (ELA).
The network says the proposed Khanyisa and Thabametsi power plants that were announced as preferred bidders in the CBIPPPP are “unnecessary and destructive”.
Life After Coal says government should rather focus on renewable energy, given that South Africa has some of the best renewable resources in the world.
The network has also rejected comments by Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson that the further development of renewable energy would be as expensive as the proposed nuclear new build programme.
“The latest data shows the costs of coal and nuclear energy increasing, while the cost of solar and wind energy have fallen dramatically, and are now cheaper than any other grid-connected source.”
Life After Coal says it is concerned about pollution in the Mpumalanga Highveld, where most of Eskom’s existing coal power plants are situated.
“Mining, trucking and burning coal results in regular violations of people’s constitutional right to an environment not harmful to their health or wellbeing,” the network says.
It also objects to the use of public money from Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Public Investment Corporation and the Industrial Development Corporation to fund “dirty” energy projects.