Karpowership, the Turkish company seeking to supply more than 1,200 megawatts of power to South Africa, said its appeal to overturn an environmental ruling against its plans has failed in another blow to the country\u2019s attempts to resolve a power crisis.<\/p>\n
The company, which supplies ship-mounted gas-fired power plants, will be allowed to correct \u201cperceived gaps\u201d in its application, it said in a statement sent to Bloomberg on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Karpowership last year won more than 60% of an emergency power tender to secure 2,000 megawatts of electricity to ease power shortages that have plagued South Africa since 2008.<\/p>\n
While the companies were originally meant to commence supply this month, projects worth only 150 megawatts have concluded their financial arrangements and are more than a year away from commissioning.<\/p>\n
Barbara Creecy, South Africa\u2019s environment minister, last year dismissed Karpowership\u2019s initial application after environmental activists lodged complaints about its impact on fishing, local ecosystems and potential greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect Minister Creecy\u2019s exercise of her powers, but we are very disappointed with the outlook especially given the time it took to make a decision,\u201d Karpowership said in the statement. The company will refile its submission and hopes \u201cthat the process will be much timelier than it has been to date,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Last month South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced changes to the country\u2019s power legislation in a bid to encourage private developers to supply the electricity that state utility Eskom Holdings has failed to.<\/p>\n
The country is on course for its worst year of power cuts to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cSouth Africa needs dispatchable power now,\u201d Karpowership said. \u201c We remain committed to being part of South Africa\u2019s energy security solution and are ready to deploy our Powerships immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
The amount of power Karpowership plans to supply could meet the needs of more than 800,000 homes.<\/p>\n