Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe has welcomed the decision by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment to accept Eskom’s final scoping report for a proposed nuclear power station at Thyspunt, in the Kouga Local Municipality. The acceptance allows the proposal to move into the full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase, although it does not constitute approval to build.
What the decision means
The department’s acceptance enables detailed environmental, social and technical studies to proceed. Those studies form the core of the full EIA process, which must assess impacts on coastal and marine systems, heritage resources, biodiversity, water supply and local communities before any construction decisions are taken.
Municipal and provincial officials have framed the development as potentially transformative for the local economy. The project Eskom is proposing would have an installed capacity of 5 200 megawatts (MW), making it one of the largest infrastructure investments considered for the Eastern Cape in recent decades.
Mayor outlines regional priorities
Mayor Lobishe said the project could bolster the Eastern Cape’s energy security and support the region’s industrial base. She identified several priority areas where Nelson Mandela Bay could benefit if the project proceeds through the statutory processes:
- Energy security: protecting manufacturing competitiveness and jobs;
- Employment: construction and operational jobs, with emphasis on local recruitment and youth skills;
- Local suppliers: opportunities for SMMEs and co‑operatives in logistics, construction and support services;
- Skills and research partnerships: collaboration with universities and TVET colleges;
- Infrastructure investment: improvements in roads, water and related services that would support communities.
Nelson Mandela Bay’s officials say the city’s existing port, automotive and manufacturing sectors, together with engineering capacity and Nelson Mandela University, position the municipality to support such an investment if it advances.
Local impact and scrutiny
While municipal leaders highlight the potential economic upside, the EIA phase is specifically designed to scrutinise risks and mitigation measures. Environmental assessments must consider coastal processes at Thyspunt, potential impacts on fisheries, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of nearby communities. The department’s acceptance of a scoping report is an administrative step that permits that scrutiny to take place.
Activists, stakeholders and interest groups typically engage robustly during the EIA stage, submitting comments and raising concerns that project proponents must address. Any subsequent approvals would have to follow the EIA outcomes and comply with national environmental legislation.
| Item | Implication for region |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 200MW — significant addition to national generation if built |
| Economic sectors | Port operations, automotive manufacturing, engineering services and education |
| Process stage | Full Environmental Impact Assessment — detailed studies, public participation |
The mayor emphasised local content and skills development as priorities, noting that the region could secure supplier contracts and training placements if Eskom’s programme includes robust local procurement and development measures.
Next steps
Eskom will now have to complete the full EIA package, which includes technical investigations and public participation processes. Interested parties, including residents, businesses and non‑governmental organisations, can expect opportunities to comment when public participation notices are issued as part of the EIA.
Importantly, the department’s acceptance does not permit any construction work to begin. Any decision to authorise construction would depend on the final EIA findings, relevant authorisations being granted, and compliance with environmental and planning conditions.
The Thyspunt proposal reignites debates over South Africa’s future energy mix, the pace of new generating capacity and how major projects can be balanced with environmental protection and local development goals. For now, Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding municipalities will watch the technical studies and public consultations closely as the project advances through the regulatory process.
Reporting for this article is based on information published by Green Building Africa.
