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This document is a formal appeal submitted by groundWork and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. The appeal seeks to set aside an Amended Environmental Authorisation (Amended EA) granted on 2 August 2024 to Phinda Power Projects (Pty) Ltd for a 320MW Emergency Risk Mitigation Power Plant in Alton, Richards Bay. The Appellants argue that the decision was unlawful, procedurally unfair, and failed to adequately assess the environmental and climate impacts of switching the plant's fuel source and technology.

This document is an appeal decision issued by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa regarding the amendment of an Environmental Authorisation (EA) for the 400 MW Richards Bay Gas to Power Facility. The Minister partially upheld an appeal by GroundWork, ruling that certain increases in fuel storage capacity and unloading stations required a new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) rather than a simple amendment. The Minister also ordered the correction of the EA's validity period extension.