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

The Life After Coal Campaign urges the South African government to reject the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal IPP projects, presenting evidence from an Energy Research Centre (ERC) report that these plants would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise GHG emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years. The campaign argues that these projects are not needed for medium-term demand, would exacerbate Eskom's financial crisis, and contradict South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

• A study by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre (ERC) indicates that the 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.
• The coal IPPs are deemed unnecessary for medium-term electricity demand because wind, solar PV, and flexible gas generation are more economical alternatives.
• The two 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.
• The inclusion of these coal plants is expected to increase pressure on Eskom by reducing the output of its existing fleet during a period of 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/2018/07/LAC-letter-to-PCE-re-ERC-report_15-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/2018/07/LAC-letter-to-PCE-re-ERC-report_15-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=15 June 2018 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LAC-letter-to-PCE-re-ERC-report_15-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/2018/07/LAC-letter-to-PCE-re-ERC-report_15-June-2018.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }