South African Govt Pulls Plug on Turkish Powership Energy Deal

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has declined three applications for the environmental authorisation for the development of gas to power via powerships - special purpose ships on which a power plant is installed to serve as a power generation resource.

Organised business had called on the government to come up with an urgent 'Plan B' power crisis solution amid indications that the controversial Turkish powerships plan would unravel due to legal challenges involving alleged irregularities.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula was drawn into the multibillion-rand powerships controversy when it emerged that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Transnet and the Istanbul-controlled Karpowership SA group were apparently attempting to dodge another regulatory requirement by getting Mbalula's office to approve a shortcut to the normal application procedures.

 

InFocus

Karadeniz powership Osman Khan, top left, energy sources, sea life, South African flag, bottom right

Follow AllAfrica

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.