Karpowership South Africa (SA), the local entity of Turkish company Karpowership, has welcomed the granting of an environmental authorisation (EA) for its Saldanha Bay project by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

It says this is another step forward for the company to supply power to the South African grid through the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Following the recent EA from the DFFE for the 450 MW Richards Bay project, this decision will enable Karpowership SA to provide an additional 320 MW from Saldanha Bay.

This is the second time Karpowership SA has resubmitted environmental applications, having failed to meet the requirements previously. The company is also contending with opposition from environmental groups.

Karpowership is aiming to undertake the floating gas-to-power projects at the ports of Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay and Ngqura, using imported liquified natural gas (LNG) as a fuel source.

Powerships are ship- or barge-mounted, fully integrated, floating power plants.

Karpowership SA avers in a statement that these LNG-to-power projects will help address South Africa’s energy supply crisis, while enabling a smooth transition to renewable energy in line with the country’s net-zero emission targets.

The DFFE has also issued a provisional atmospheric emission licence for Karpowership SA’s project in Richards Bay, in terms of Section 41(1) of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act 2004.

“We remain committed in adhering to all remaining requirements as mandated by the Independent Power Producers office to reach financial close for our projects and to bring an innovative solution that will help eliminate loadshedding and enable inclusive economic growth,” Karpowership SA says.