Karpowership gets 3 licences: Is NERSA compromised?

Even with an ongoing legal fight and environmental concerns, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on Tuesday approved three generation licences for floating powership provider Karpowership SA. With ongoing Ramaphosa’s fight against corruption this seems unreal.

During a special meeting of NERSA board, the regulator granted generation licences for Karpowership SA projects at Saldanha Bay, Coega and Richards Bay. It also approved four generation licenses for other energy providers under a plan to fast-track new power production. This seems to be perfectly fine, provided the granted licensors are clean and without any substantiated accusations.

Environmental group the Green Connection says it will consider taking legal action against the Karpowership decision, with its strategic lead, Liz McDaid, describing the decision as “flawed”.

Liz McDaid, together with activist Makoma Lekalakala, was instrumental in successfully challenging the state’s 9 600 MW nuclear power plan in 2017