RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE

The Life After Coal Campaign informs Eskom that a University of Cape Town Energy Research Centre (ERC) report finds the Thabametsi (557MW) and Khanyisa (300MW) coal IPPs are unnecessary for medium-term demand and would cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost system. The campaign argues these plants would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, frustrating Paris Agreement commitments and accelerating Eskom's 'utility death spiral' by reducing the output of its existing, cheaper fleet. The letter asserts that the projects fail the 'value for money' requirement of the 2011 Electricity Regulations and poses significant risks to water resources and air quality.

• The proposed Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are projected to cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost energy system, and are not required to meet medium-term electricity demand because wind, solar pv, and flexible gas generation are more economical.
• The coal IPPs would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over the 30-year duration of their power purchase agreements, which would negate the government's emission mitigation plans and the savings from the Energy Efficiency Strategy to 2050, while frustrating commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Implementing the coal IPPs would increase pressure on Eskom by reducing the output of its existing fleet due to low demand, potentially accelerating a 'utility death spiral' and risking the South African economy.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2018). RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAC-letter-to-Eskom-re-ERC-report_-8-June-2018.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE. 2018. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAC-letter-to-Eskom-re-ERC-report_-8-June-2018.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE |date=8 June 2018 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAC-letter-to-Eskom-re-ERC-report_-8-June-2018.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2018relevant, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COAL IPPS – A STUDY BY THE ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2018}, month = jun, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAC-letter-to-Eskom-re-ERC-report_-8-June-2018.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }