HERMANUS – The planned nuclear plant at Bantamsklip has not only nature lovers on edge, but also residents (“Save Bantamsklip”, Hermanus Times, 19 November 2025).
Rodney Anderson, the chairperson of Save Bantamsklip Association, urged residents of the Overstrand to attend Eskom’s official public Zoom meetings on 1 December and 2 December regarding the proposed 5 200 MW nuclear power plant at Bantamsklip. “Independent experts have consistently shown that South Africa does not currently need new nuclear power to secure its energy future.
“Nuclear developments are extremely expensive, often face budget overruns, long delays, and carry significant environmental, safety, corruption and economic risks. Establishing a nuclear plant at Bantamsklip would permanently alter a pristine coastline, affecting tourism, livelihoods, property values, wildlife, for future generations,” Anderson explained.
According to him Bantamsklip lies on one of the Western Cape’s most ecologically sensitive coastlines, situated between Gansbaai and Pearly Beach and directly linked to the Dyer Island Marine Protected Area.
It is home to endangered fynbos species, unique limestone habitats, and the rich Dyer Island/Walker Bay marine ecosystem.
Hannes Pieterse, senior advisory consultant of Petrorex, agrees with Anderson: “The Dyer Island Conservation Trust has previously stated on 22 July 2010 that the Bantamsklip site lies within a habitat that is unique on a global scale. The area forms the transition where the cold Benguela Current meets the warm Agulhas Current, making it the closest point to a coastline anywhere in the world where such major ocean systems converge. This ecological mixing zone supports the endangered African Penguins, Great White sharks, globally important kelp forests, critical breeding and foraging habitats, sensitive abalone and linefish populations, important coastal bird roosting sites and a large number of endemic species found nowhere else on earth.
“The area has since 2010 become even more environmentally sensitive, with expanded Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), updated biodiversity classifications, and deteriorating species populations.”
He also stated that the competent authority requires a new, fully compliant Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and fresh public participation process, as required by the National Environmental Management Act (Nema), given the 15-year lapse since the original process. “In terms of Nema, the EIA Regulations, and the principles of administrative justice, such an aged process cannot lawfully be relied upon.”
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Other concerns include the changing of the environmental conditions. “Since 2010 there have been major shifts in marine and coastal species status (many now endangered or critically endangered), sea-level rise projections, climate-risk mapping, groundwater and aquifer sensitivity, cumulative impacts from development pressures, social and tourism dynamics in the Gansbaai / Pearly Beach region and national coastal zone management policies,” Pieterse said. “The applicant is legally required to conduct a new public participation process.”
According to the Overstrand Municipality, the notice is about an EIA process informing the public that they can register as interested and affected parties to comment on the proposed project meeting scheduled for 2 December.
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