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

The Life After Coal Campaign, citing a report by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre (ERC), argues that the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are unnecessary, financially risky, and environmentally harmful. The campaign asserts that these projects would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, potentially accelerating a 'utility death spiral' for Eskom. They contend the projects fail the 'value for money' requirement of the 2011 Electricity Regulations and urge the Minister of Energy to abandon them in favor of more economical renewable energy alternatives.

• The proposed Thabametsi (557MW) and Khanyisa (300MW) coal-fired power stations would cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost energy system, as wind, solar, and flexible gas generation are more economical alternatives for meeting medium-term electricity demand.
• The coal IPPs are projected to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over the 30-year duration of their power purchase agreements, which would undermine the government's GHG mitigation plans, the Energy Efficiency Strategy to 2050, and commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Building new coal plants during a period of low demand may increase pressure on Eskom by reducing the output of its existing fleet, which could accelerate a 'utility death spiral' and endanger 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-Min-Radebe-re-ERC-report_4-June-2018.docx.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-Min-Radebe-re-ERC-report_4-June-2018.docx.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=4 June 2018 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAC-letter-to-Min-Radebe-re-ERC-report_4-June-2018.docx.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-Min-Radebe-re-ERC-report_4-June-2018.docx.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }