Eskom Holdings SOC Limited has announced public meetings across the Overberg to discuss a proposed nuclear power plant that could be built at Bantamsklip in the Overstrand Local Municipality.
The 5200 MW facility represents one of two potential sites being considered, with Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape as the alternative location. Three crucial public meetings have been scheduled for Overberg residents in April.
The first took place at the Hermanus Municipal Auditorium on 7 April. The next meeting at the Dutch Reformed church in Pearly Beach is scheduled for 8 April.
The final Overberg session will be held at the Gansbaai Tourism Information and Conference Centre Hall on 9 April from 18:30 to 20:30.
These meetings aim to present the Draft Scoping Report (DSR) for the proposed Nuclear Power Plant project, which will be available for public review and comment from 1 April 2026.
The project requires Environmental Authorisation and triggers multiple activities under the National Environmental Management Act, necessitating a comprehensive Scoping and Environmental Impact Reporting process.
WSP Group Africa has been appointed as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner to manage the environmental assessment process. The company said that community input is crucial for the project’s evaluation.
Residents interested in formally registering as stakeholders can do so through multiple channels. An online registration sheet is available at https://arcg.is/1uKaqD2, while written submissions can be sent to Nuclear-PP-EIA@wsp.com. Those preferring telephone contact can call 011 254 4800 or 011 361 1300.
Registered stakeholders will receive all future correspondence and individual notifications about additional participation opportunities. The registration process requires full contact details and disclosure of any direct or indirect business, financial, personal or other interests in the project.
The proposed nuclear facility would significantly impact the Western Cape’s energy landscape and local communities. The public meetings provide residents with the opportunity to understand the project’s scope, raise concerns, and contribute to the environmental assessment process. With South Africa facing ongoing energy challenges, the nuclear proposal has generated considerable interest. However, environmental concerns, safety considerations and community impacts remain key discussion points that will be addressed during the public consultation process.
Stakeholders are encouraged to attend these meetings to stay informed about this significant infrastructure development.
Bantamsklip
On 5 October 2015 Hermanus Times published a story about Bantamsklip that has been excluded as an option of Nuclear-1 X but is still in Eskom’s sight for possible nuclear development (Bantam’s no loger an option, Hermanus Times 5 October 2015).
But 10 years later in 2025 Eskom proposes the establishment of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) generating up to 5 200 MW, with associated infrastructure, at either Thyspunt near St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape or Bantamsklip in the Overstrand. The latter is just over 20 km from Gansbaai and 10 km from Dyer Island. History repeats itself.
About 15 years ago approximately 300 concerned residents opposed the building of a nuclear power station. They handed a memorandum to the Overstrand Municipality, saying the municipality had failed to represent their interests by supporting the proposed nuclear power plant (“Nuclear Power Plant near Gansbaai”, Hermanus Times, 18 November 2025).
