South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal has overturned a government permit that would have allowed Eskom, the state-owned power utility, to construct a 3 GW gas-fired power plant project in Richards Bays
The court ruled that Eskom failed to adequately consult local communities before the authorization was granted, rendering the approval invalid. Eskom will now be required to restart the process and undertake proper public participation if it wishes to pursue the project.
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Richards Bay gas plant
The Richards Bay combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant was first proposed in 2019 but has faced years of delay due to opposition from environmental groups. Plans for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal and several other gas-fired plants in the same area were also scrapped in 2024. Environmental organizations welcomed the court’s ruling, arguing that Eskom and other state-linked projects have historically overlooked the rights and health of communities living near polluting facilities.
The government has promoted gas projects as part of its strategy to diversify electricity supply and reduce reliance on coal, which currently dominates South Africa’s energy mix. Eskom operates 15 coal-fired power stations with a combined capacity of about 40 GW, in addition to the Koeberg nuclear plant (1.9 GW), four gas/oil-fired stations (2.4 GW), five hydropower plants (3.3 GW including pumped storage), and a single wind farm (100 MW). By halting the Richards Bay project, the ruling highlights the growing influence of civil society in shaping South Africa’s energy future, particularly around environmental and social justice concerns.
