The Eastern Cape Maritime Business Chamber (ECMBC) and the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) region on July 5 said that would appeal the decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) not to approve Karpowership South Africa’s (SA’s) environmental-impact assessments (EIA) for its three powership-based gas-to-power projects, proposed for development at the ports of Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha Bay.
The EIA applications were submitted in October 2020 ahead of the closing date for bidding under the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP).
The organisations stated that Karpowership SA conducted a robust public participation process, met all South Africa’s stringent environmental requirements and was well positioned to address any other concerns in full.
The ECMBC and Nafcoc NMB have engaged Karpowership SA on the matter raised and said they were satisfied with the reports and information presented.
While the organisations have 20 days to respond to the DFFE’s notification, they said they were working to ensure they submit appeals as soon as possible to expedite the resolution.
The organisations stated that they do not accept the DFFE’s ruling and do not believe that allowing detractors the opportunity to delay the RMIPPPP would benefit the economy.