Masifundise, The Green Connection, groundwork, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), Centre for Environmental Rights and several other civil society organisations have collectively tabled a letter to the Portfolio Committee of Minerals and Energy to challenge the growth of proposed bids of Gas to Power projects.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has proposed Gas to Power Powership Projects at the Port of Ngqura Eastern Cape and in Saldanha Bay Western Cape and in Richards Bay. These projects will threaten marine resources and disrupt the wider marine ecology around Richards Bay, Saldanha and Ngqura harbours. This will have aa detrimental impact on coastal fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on those water bodies.
Civil society organisations and communities all along the coast of South Africa have raised significant concerns about this choice of “emergency” power; which will tie us into fossil fuels for at least a further twenty years.
“South Africa’s advancement of the blue economy, especially oil and gas, undermines climate justice, the just energy transition, as well as the livelihoods and rights of small-scale fishing communities who rely on the ocean and ocean resources for food and income. These communities have not been consulted in decision-making processes around projects that will impact on their electricity prices and ability to secure food and nutrition. Renewable energy is the way forward for people and the environment,” said Maia Nangle from Masifundise.