ST FRANCIS BAY – The public review period for the proposed Eskom nuclear power plant at Thyspunt in St Francis Bay has been extended following requests from members of the public.
According to a notice issued regarding the proposed Eskom nuclear power plant of up to 5,200MW in the Kouga Local Municipality, the public review period has been extended from 25 May 2026 to 29 May 2026 to allow additional time for comments.
The notice also stated that audio recordings from all public meetings held as part of the process are now available online, while the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) remains accessible both electronically and at several public venues across the Eastern Cape.
Printed copies of the report are available at the following locations:
- Oesterbaai Eiendomme – 6 Toryn Street, Oyster Bay
- Kouga Local Municipality – Assisi Drive, St Francis Bay, 6312
- Sea Vista Library – Geelbek Street, St Francis Bay, 6312
- The Coastal Collective – 2 Suffolk Lane, Cape St Francis, 6313
- St Francis Bay Golf Club Restaurant – 556 Lyme Rd S, St Francis Bay, 6312
- Humansdorp Public Library – 9 Bureau Street, Humansdorp, 6300
- Jeffreys Bay Public Library – 43 Diaz Road, Jeffreys Bay, 6330
Electronic versions of the report are available on the following websites:
- WSP website – https://www.wsp.com/en-ZA/services/public-documents
- WSP data free website – https://wsp-engage.com/
The extension follows a series of public meetings held across the Eastern Cape regarding the proposed nuclear development at Thyspunt in St Francis Bay and Bantamsklip in the Overstrand Local Municipality.
As previously reported, the proposed Thyspunt nuclear plant has generated strong public reaction, with concerns raised by residents regarding safety, traffic congestion and the possible impact on marine life.
According to Eskom’s 700-page Nuclear Draft Scoping Report Public Review document, the proposed Thyspunt Nuclear Power Plant would have a planned generating capacity of up to 5,200MW.
The project has been designed to accommodate large Pressurised Water Reactors and/or Small Modular Reactors, with an expected design life of about 60 years that could be extended to 80 years.
The Draft Scoping Report states that Thyspunt was selected as the preferred site over Bantamsklip following a comparative assessment.
Eskom cited factors such as existing land ownership, previous environmental and technical studies, and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure as advantages for the site.
The report further states that the plant would use a seawater cooling system and occupy a footprint of approximately 250 hectares.
Environmental specialists involved in the scoping process reportedly found no unmitigable environmental constraints at the Thyspunt site, with impacts considered manageable through mitigation measures.
The Nuclear Installation Site Licence application for the project was originally submitted in 2016 and updated in 2026. The application is currently under review by the National Nuclear Regulator, with potential public review and hearings expected between September and November 2026.
The project is targeting connection feasibility before 2039, subject to regulatory approvals and servitude agreements.
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