KM_C554e-20161108172117

The Minister of Environmental Affairs of South Africa has decided to set aside an Environmental Authorisation (EA) previously granted for the construction of the 1050MW Colenso coal-fired power station and associated infrastructure in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The decision refers the matter back to the Department for reconsideration due to specific inaccuracies and deficiencies in the EA, including premature conditions and missing technical documentation.

• The EA was found to have several deficiencies and inaccuracies, including the premature insertion of condition 6. The Minister required a site layout map indicating the power station position, foundation footprint, existing infrastructure, water crossings, sensitive features, soil heaps, construction laydown areas, buildings, and 'no-go' buffer areas before the EA could be issued.
• The Minister identified further technical requirements for the applicant prior to the issuance of the EA, specifically the completion and submission of a Geophysical survey for Department approval.
• The Minister dismissed the appeal regarding the lack of a climate change impact assessment, stating there is currently no legal basis for such assessments within the EIA framework, despite South Africa's adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015.
• The Minister rejected the appellants' general opposition to coal-fired power stations, asserting that a mix of power generation technologies, including coal, is necessary to meet long-term electricity demand.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). KM_C554e-20161108172117. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Colenso-Appeal-decision-2.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. KM_C554e-20161108172117. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Colenso-Appeal-decision-2.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=KM_C554e-20161108172117 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Colenso-Appeal-decision-2.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrightsndkmc554e20161108172117, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{KM\_C554e-20161108172117}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Colenso-Appeal-decision-2.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }