President Ramaphosa receives first recommendations from the Presidential Climate Commission on the Komati power station decommissioning process

President Cyril Ramaphosa today received a report from the Presidential Climate Commission to support a just transition at the recently the decommissioned Komati coal power station in Mpumalanga.

In a Special Meeting of the Commission, the President welcomed the report as an important consolidation of the evidence and perspectives of impacted stakeholders and communities in Steve Tswhete and Emalahleni Municipalities.

“The report, which was developed in an inclusive and consultative manner, provides a factual assessment of the decommissioning process followed at Komati. The report’s recommendations should move us closer to bringing and reclaiming restorative justice to affected workers and communities,” said President Ramaphosa

The Presidential Climate Commission began interacting with the Komati community and workers in January 2022, as part of the development of the national Just Transition Framework.

The Commission also visited Komati on 7 July 2023 and 27 October 2023, at the request of the President, with the aim of exploring the decommissioning process followed at Komati, and to help guide future coal decommissioning and repurposing projects.

The hand over of the report follows the Adoption of the Interim Report by the Commission in September and further interactions with the various stakeholders including local government, business, Eskom, and the Komati community.

The President emphasised the aim to bring coherence to just transition planning, and to use the report as  a blueprint for ensuring justice in future coal plant decommissioning projects, including engaging with communities to promote agency, spurring economic diversification, and ensuring resources are provided by government for regions in the transition.

“Poor people, workers, the unemployed, and rural communities remain the most vulnerable as our economy transitions to a low carbon future. We must find ways to protect jobs and cushion communities if the vision for the just transition is to be realised as we navigate our journey to a net-zero economy and society.” said President Ramaphosa.

The President thanked the Commissioners, the social partners, and the various stakeholders for delivering the report with far reaching proposals based on sound evidence, broad social engagement, and consensus.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa on media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria