As part of floating power station company Karpowership South Africa’s environmental authorisation application, it has started an enhanced process of additional public consultations to ensure all stakeholders fully understand the benefits these projects will bring to the country.

“Karpowership South Africa’s detailed and comprehensive environmental processes will ensure all perceived gaps in the initial environmental-impact assessment of its proposed operations in Coega, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay are addressed for implementation of the projects that will ultimately maximise economic benefits to the communities in the project locations,” the company says.

Meaningful engagement with the public is an essential part of this process. Ahead of the public participation process, draft environmental reports containing more than 30 independent specialist scientific assessments of each project site will be published.

This will give interested parties the opportunity to submit comments, Karpowership South Africa says.

“Karpowership South Africa fully supports the independent environmental assessment practitioner facilitating open communication with all interested stakeholders through public participation public meetings in various languages on November 21 in Saldanha Bay, on November 23 in Richards Bay and on November 25 in Coega,” it notes.

Liquefied natural gas-to-power projects are a critical pillar of support to upscaling renewable energy capacity during a just energy transition, the company says.

South Africa’s current and future energy security, and commitment to low-carbon electricity, is reliant on power becoming cleaner and more secure and Karpowership South Africa is dedicated to becoming part of a stable, diverse energy mix for the South African people, it adds.

“We remain committed to adding 1 220 MW of power to the South African grid through our Coega, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay projects and to engaging with the local communities to hear their concerns.

"Karpowership has a solution to South Africa’s energy crisis that is flexible, will reduce loadshedding and will bring huge economic benefits to the local community,” says Karpowership South Africa director Mehmet Katmer.