CoCT plan to develop green energy hub at Athlone power station site hampered by heritage declaration

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town's plan to develop a green energy hub at the defunct Athlone power station site is being hampered by a heritage declaration.

The cooling towers of the defunct power station were demolished in 2010 after the facility stopped generating power in 2003.

Heritage Western Cape declared the property a provincial heritage site in 2022 despite the city council approving a plan for the land to be redeveloped.

City Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg, said that the city approached the Western Cape High Court to challenge the provisional protection of the entire Athlone power station site.

Limberg said this included not only the old power station but also multiple city facilities, including the city's active wastewater treatment plant, a refuse transfer station and a section of the N2 highway.

"The city has done a considerable amount of work to secure the site and ensure that there's minimal environmental impact. To further secure the site, the city intends to remove and restore the structural integrity of some of the structures in addition to conducting an environmental cleanup."  

Heritage Western Cape has indicated that it will oppose the city's court application, but due to the matter being sub-judice, further comment will be provided at a later stage.