Opposition to Eskom's World Bank Loan is hot air

Environmentalists vent frustration but ignore bigger picture
by Galen Sher

If you haven't heard already, Eskom has applied to the World Bank for a $3.75bn loan to cover some of its enormous financing gap. The majority of the loan ($3bn) will go towards the 4,800 MW Medupi coal-fired power station in Limpopo. Understandably, environmentalists in South Africa and abroad are concerned that the World Bank should not finance power generation based on fossil fuels. While it is good that people around the world are concerned about the environmental consequences of World Bank investments, much of the opposition is principle-based and lacks a broader perspective.

1. Medupi will be constructed regardless of the outcome of the World Bank loan

Construction of Medupi began in 2007 and has slowed since financing became more expensive. However, the project is going ahead with a coal-supply agreement recently confirmed. Opposition to the World Bank loan often ignores the fact that construction of Medupi will continue regardless of the outcome of the loan application.

2. There will be severe regional consequences if Medupi does not go ahead

South Africa supplies "60 percent of all electricity produced in sub-Saharan Africa and our neighbors Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe all rely on Eskom for their electricity."

Eskom would have to redirect funding from other projects (including renewable energy projects) to finance Medupi. Failing this redirection, Eskom will have to apply for further electricity price increases to finance Medupi.

Medupi will also generate job opportunities for workers in Limpopo.

3. The World Bank loan will also fund renewable energy projects

The balance of the loan, some "$745 million, will be invested in wind and concentrated solar power projects, each generating 100 MW, and in various efficiency improvements". Pravin Gordhan

4. The construction of Medupi must be seen in the context of South Africa's national climate change policy

South Africa is pursuing reductions in carbon emmissions of "34% by 2020 and 43% by 2025" (Pravin Gordhan). As long as the construction of Medupi and other coal-fired power plants in South Africa are compatible with these reduction targets, it is debatable whether construction of these power plants should be opposed at all.

Eskom has also undertaken efficiency improvements at Medupi to reduce coal and water consumption at the power station. The construction has also passed its environmental impact assessment through the Department of Trade and Energy. These are at least a small comfort.

Now, instead of getting frustrated with the environmental implications of such coal-fired power stations, the public should be more concerned with the potential corruption in the award of the contract to Hitachi to construct Medupi and Kusile - contracts valued at some R39bn!