Eskom coal-fired plant gets green light
Publish date: 08 May 2007
Issue Number: 9
Diary: Legalbrief Environmental
Category: Energy
Eskom\'s plan to build a R66.2bn coal-fired power station in Limpopo has got the green light after the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism dismissed an appeal by environmental lobby group Earthlife Africa and Limpopo residents against a decision allowing the project to proceed.
Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk gave the go-ahead two days after the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) had also approved the plan. Van Schalkwyk said the appeal was not convincing enough to warrant the setting aside of the September 2006 decision, reports Business Day. Earthlife Africa and other complainants raised concerns about the potential damage to ecosystems, water and air pollution that might be caused by the harmful gasses emitted by the station. Richard Worthington, of Earthlife Africa, said the new power station would be one of three that would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. Full Business Day report
