The Department of Energy’s (DoE) intention to bring a floating power plant to the port of Saldanha, has raised some concerns.
Last Thursday 5 November, ERM, the independent environmental consultants contracted for the project, hosted an open day at the Hoedjiesbaai Hotel in Saldanha.
Afterwards some attendees complained that the presentation lacked substance and said it was clear the project already had government approval, “and the EIA (environmental impact assessment) is just completing the technicalities”.
The threat of pollution was another issue raised, especially should ships by Turkish company Karpowership be used.
Floating power plants are special purpose-built ships with power generation equipment, but some apparently burn heavy fuel, which could pose a risk of air pollution.
Christo van Wyk, chairperson of the Saldanha Bay Water Quality Forum Trust, also raised a number of concerns, such as the placement of the plant in the port, the impact of emissions and effluent etc. and requested that another meeting be arranged on these technical issues.
In response ERM said the EIA is undertaken in according with NEMA objectives which include to “identify any potential fatal flaws, identify and assess potential impacts, and develop mitigation measures to manage negative impacts or enhance project benefits. The EIA must also consider alternatives in relation to a proposed activity, which includes the option of not implementing the activity”.
As part of the DoE’s Gas to Power Programme, done in collaboration with Transnet, floating power plants are also considered for Richards Bay and Ngqura.
