Environmental and faith groups launch high court bid to block Eskom’s nuclear project at Duynefontein

• SAFCEI, Earthlife Africa and Greenpeace file court application challenging environmental approval for Eskom Nuclear 1 project.
• Applicants argue 2017 authorisation is based on outdated electricity planning data and flawed consultation processes.
• Legal action emerges as government backs global pledge to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Environmental and faith based organisations have launched a new legal challenge against plans to develop a nuclear power plant at Duynefontein in the Western Cape, placing Eskom and the South African government under renewed scrutiny over the country’s nuclear expansion strategy.

The application was filed in March 2026 in the Western Cape High Court by the Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute, Earthlife Africa and Greenpeace. The groups are seeking to halt development of the proposed Nuclear 1 power station planned for the Duynefontein site near Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

The case targets state owned utility Eskom as well as the Minister of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp and the Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

At the centre of the litigation is the environmental authorisation granted in 2017 for the Nuclear 1 project. The applicants argue that the approval was unlawful and based on outdated assumptions about South Africa’s electricity system.

According to the court filing, the authorisation relied on obsolete planning data regarding baseload electricity demand and long term energy system requirements. The organisations contend that the approval process did not properly consider reasonable alternatives including renewable energy options and the possibility of not proceeding with the project.

The application also alleges procedural shortcomings in the government’s handling of the project. In particular, the groups are challenging a decision by former environment minister Dion George to dismiss internal appeals lodged against the development.

The applicants argue that the process failed to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act, which requires authorities to fully assess environmental impacts and alternative development scenarios before granting approval.

The legal challenge comes at a time when South Africa is actively pursuing expanded nuclear capacity as part of its long term energy strategy.

In late 2025 Eskom advanced preparatory work for a potential third nuclear power station at Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape, initiating a new social and environmental impact assessment process for the proposed site.

Meanwhile Minister Ramokgopa announced on 5 March 2026 that South Africa had endorsed a global declaration supporting the tripling of nuclear energy capacity worldwide by 2050.

The latest litigation follows previous setbacks for the government’s nuclear ambitions. In August 2024 authorities withdrew a procurement gazette for 2500 MW of nuclear generation after legal pressure raised concerns over insufficient public participation in the decision making process.

The outcome of the High Court case could have significant implications for the timeline and viability of new nuclear projects in South Africa, including plans linked to the Duynefontein and Thyspunt sites.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal