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This briefing by Energy Innovation examines how utility depreciation accounting and regulatory asset management influence the transition from coal-fired power plants to clean energy in the United States. It details the mechanisms regulators use to handle 'stranded assets'—plants that become uneconomic before their useful life ends—and the trade-offs between accelerated and extended depreciation schedules regarding consumer rates and investor returns.

This briefing by Energy Innovation examines the financial mechanisms available to regulated investor-owned utilities to transition from fossil fuel generation to clean energy. Using Colorado as a case study, the document outlines a three-step process for analyzing the marginal cost of energy (MCOE), managing the financial impacts of early coal plant retirements, and utilizing refinancing tools like debt-for-equity swaps and securitization to balance the interests of consumers, investors, and impacted communities.

A formal letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, to Eskom's Board of Directors requesting information on the status of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for two coal-fired power stations: Thabametsi and Khanyisa.

A statement from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to the South African Minister of Energy and Director General of the Department of Energy, challenging the procurement of two coal-fired power stations (Thabametsi and Khanyisa). The CER argues that these projects fail the 'value for money' test, lack necessary legal authorisations, and would exacerbate climate change and economic instability.

A letter from the Life After Coal Campaign to South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, presenting findings from a University of Cape Town Energy Research Centre (ERC) report. The letter argues that the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are financially and environmentally harmful, unnecessary for meeting electricity demand, and would undermine South Africa's climate commitments.

This research report assesses the impact of including two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects—Thabametsi and Khanyisa—in South Africa's electricity system from 2022 to 2052. Using the South African Times Model (SATIM), the study finds that these plants are not necessary to meet demand and would increase both total system costs and greenhouse gas emissions across all analyzed scenarios, potentially offsetting national energy efficiency and carbon tax mitigation efforts.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative and Indian School of Business examines the challenges of integrating high levels of renewable energy into India's power grid, specifically focusing on the need for system flexibility and the risk of coal-based assets becoming stranded. The authors propose that converting existing baseload coal plants into flexible plants is a cost-effective short-term solution to provide necessary operational reserves and mitigate financial risks for investors.

A letter from the Life After Coal Campaign and Greenpeace Africa to the South African Minister of Energy, objecting to the proposed Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects. The authors argue that these projects are legally precarious, environmentally damaging, and economically unnecessary compared to renewable energy alternatives.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and groundWork, submitted supplementary objections on 5 March 2018 against the Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) and Integrated Water and Waste Water Management Plan (IWWMP) for the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power station. The objections argue that the project is unnecessary due to excess electricity capacity, poses severe risks to the water-stressed Mokolo Catchment, and fails to account for climate change impacts and toxic coal ash disposal risks.

This report addresses the risk of stranded assets resulting from the sustainability transition, arguing that while 'green finance' for new technologies is well-documented, there is insufficient focus on the 'old' industries and assets that may become economically unusable. The document introduces a practical framework designed to help the financial community identify and quantify these risks to reduce unnecessary investment and negative social consequences.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted comments on December 20, 2017, regarding the World Bank's Draft Guidance Notes for the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). CIEL argues that the Guidance Notes are "severely lacking in substance" and often merely reiterate the standards or use vague language rather than providing the detailed implementation guidance necessary to prevent harm to people and the environment.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a statement to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) expressing alarm over the bank's role in financing the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power plant. The CER argues that such financing contradicts the DBSA's own sustainability commitments, ignores a landmark court ruling regarding climate change impacts, and exposes the bank to the risk of stranded assets.

A summary of a Climate Action Tracker examination regarding the role of natural gas in the power sector, highlighting the necessity of phasing out gas to meet Paris Agreement goals and the risk of stranded assets due to continued infrastructure investment.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the opportunities and constraints of transitioning to low-carbon energy in Africa, focusing on West Africa and Nigeria. It argues that while the continent has vast renewable potential, progress is hindered by fragmented governance, inadequate investment, and a lack of coordination between niche projects and national grids.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, submitted comments to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding the Final Scope of Work Report (FSR) for the Thabametsi coal-fired power station. The CER argues that the FSR is inadequate, particularly concerning the Climate Change Impact Assessment (CCIA), and requests that the DEA either reject the report or require significant amendments to align it with the South African Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).

This report, the final part of a five-part series by WWF South Africa, SinCo, Carbon Tracker, and Trucost, synthesizes research on the financial risks and opportunities associated with carbon emissions and water scarcity for institutional investors in South Africa. It argues that many investors are 'universal owners' whose returns depend on the overall health of the economy, making them vulnerable to systemic risks from climate change and water stress. The report finds that carbon and water risks are largely mispriced in the market, with significant exposure in the energy and mining sectors, and calls for regulatory interventions and a shift toward low-carbon, water-responsible investment strategies to avoid stranded assets and ensure long-term returns.

This affidavit, submitted by Earthlife Africa (ELA) to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), objects to the licensing of the proposed Thabametsi coal-fired power plant. ELA argues that the project is environmentally unsustainable, financially risky, and inconsistent with South Africa's legal obligations and international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Mining and Environmental Justice Community Network of South Africa (MEJCON-SA) and Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) have appealed a decision by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to grant environmental authorisation (EA) to Tetra4 (Pty) Ltd for the Cluster 2 Virginia Gas Production Project. The appellants argue that the decision is unlawful and unreasonable due to flawed groundwater and climate change assessments, inadequate public participation, a failure to consider renewable energy alternatives, and the state's lack of capacity to monitor gas operations.

This Appeal Response Report, submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on behalf of MEJCON-SA and MACUA, argues that the Environmental Authorisation (EA) for Tetra4's Cluster 2 gas production expansion should be set aside. The appellants contend that the project's Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report (FEIAR) contains fatal flaws regarding groundwater impact analysis, climate change assessments, and public participation processes. Furthermore, they argue the project is neither necessary nor desirable due to the risk of stranded assets and the availability of cheaper renewable energy alternatives, and that South Africa lacks the regulatory capacity to monitor and enforce compliance in the gas sector.

This document is a supplementary affidavit submitted by Earthlife Africa NPC to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). It presents formal objections to the license application of Thabametsi Power Company (Pty) Limited for a proposed 1200MW coal-fired power plant in Lephalale, Limpopo. Earthlife argues that the project is unnecessary, financially inefficient, and poses severe risks to water security, air quality, and climate goals.