KZN’s major water resource at risk?
Many local tourist attractions, as well as community members, are unhappy about the negative impact the power station will have on the environment
The company Colenso Power has completed a Draft Scoping Report (DSR) on its intended plans to build a 1050 MW coal-fired power station 500 metres from the Tugela River and close to the Msinga homestead, which uses water from the river on a daily basis. The proposed power station would be beneficial in assisting the country in its long-standing electricity shortages and definitely help curb the frequency of load-shedding.
However, many local tourist attractions, as well as community members, are unhappy about the negative impact the power station will have on the environment. “We are terribly concerned about the environmental impact on the river, especially the fish and the birds in the area. The power station uses water and washes out back into the river, which will cause contamination and pollution due to the greenhouse gases, ash and soot that will be emitted. I hope the matter will be addressed correctly and in the right manner,” said Mr Mark Calverly of Zingela Rafting.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife communications manager Musa Mtambo was contacted for comment, but was unavailable.
According to the DSR, residents of the area would have to be moved in order to accommodate the plant. Details are sketchy at this stage regarding the exact numbers and affected residents. Director of groundwork Bobby Peek said the new plant could also not be reconciled with the national policy on climate change. “The DSR did not contain a reference to climate change. This is considering the fact that existing coal-fired power stations already make South Africa one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases globally, and indeed the highest emitter in Africa.”
The Tugela River is one of KZN’s most visited rivers – playing host to families, fishermen and tourists alike – and it is a real concern whether these plans will be passed.
