2015-06-10-thabametsi-appeal-response-part-1-a761f743bf5219c0.pdf

This document is a responding statement submitted by Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd (the Second Respondent) on behalf of the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and Earthlife Africa, Johannesburg (the Appellant). It addresses an appeal against the environmental authorisation (EA) granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for the construction of the 1200MW coal-fired Thabametsi power station.

• Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Ltd requests the dismissal of the appeal on the grounds that both the Notice of Intention to Appeal and the Appeal itself were submitted after the legally prescribed deadlines. The Notice of Intention to Appeal was submitted on 9 April 2015, whereas Newshelf argues it was due by 17 March 2015 (or 30 March 2015 at the latest), and the Appeal was submitted on 11 May 2015, missing the 20 April or 30 April deadlines.
• The Thabametsi Project is planned as a 1200MW plant, but Newshelf clarifies that only 600MW will be submitted in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the South African Department of Energy (DoE) for coal base-load power projects.
• Newshelf asserts that the project's water will be sourced from Phase 2 of the Mokolo Crocodile Water Augmentation Project (MCWAP), which is expected to be completed by 2019/20. For construction and early production needs prior to that date, water will be sourced from Exxaro Resources via their MCWAP Phase 1 allocation.
• An air quality and health risk specialist study conducted by uMoya-NILU and CSIR concluded that the risk index for exposure to air pollutants from the project is low for the communities of Lephalale, Onverwacht, and Marapong. However, the study noted that cumulative impacts may be significant and must be managed according to the Waterberg Priority Area Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP).
• Regarding biodiversity and heritage, the project's assessments found no 'fatal flaws'. While the development will cause significant but localised impacts on natural resources and protected trees, the overall impact on wetland areas is considered low. Heritage sites identified on the site were estimated to be under 60 years old and not of heritage significance.
• Newshelf states that the Atmospheric Emissions Licence (AEL) application will only be finalised and updated if the Thabametsi Project is awarded preferred bidder status by the Department of Energy.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). 2015-06-10-thabametsi-appeal-response-part-1-a761f743bf5219c0.pdf. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2015-06-10-Thabametsi-Appeal-Response-Part-1.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. 2015-06-10-thabametsi-appeal-response-part-1-a761f743bf5219c0.pdf. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2015-06-10-Thabametsi-Appeal-Response-Part-1.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=2015-06-10-thabametsi-appeal-response-part-1-a761f743bf5219c0.pdf |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2015-06-10-Thabametsi-Appeal-Response-Part-1.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrightsnd20150610thabametsiappealresponsepart1a761f743bf5219c0pdf, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{2015-06-10-thabametsi-appeal-response-part-1-a761f743bf5219c0.pdf}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2015-06-10-Thabametsi-Appeal-Response-Part-1.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }