The City of Cape Town has ramped up its push for a green energy future by launching legal action against Heritage Western Cape, contesting the provisional protection granted to the entire site of the long-defunct Athlone Power Station.
This move comes as officials argue that heritage designations are obstructing plans to transform the site into a hub for renewable energy.
However, the remnants of the facility, including its chimney stacks and ash handling plant, have sparked intense debate, particularly among heritage activists who are keen to preserve the site.
In 2020, following the City’s announced plans for demolition, these activists sought intervention from Heritage Western Cape, advocating for the site to be declared a provincial heritage site.
Last year, the heritage body opted for a sweeping approach, granting provisional protection to the entire Athlone site for two years despite the city’s push to exclude certain areas from the designation.
Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg, emphasised the implications of the designation on the City’s sustainability initiatives, stating, ‘The heritage declaration is hampering our plans to develop a green energy facility on the site,’ as quoted by EWN.
The legal challenge has now been lodged at the Western Cape High Court, where the City of Cape Town is seeking to overturn the heritage status of the site, thereby enabling its transition into a renewable energy facility.
Limberg confirmed the litigation, underscoring that the protective designation extends beyond the old power station to include various municipal facilities that are part of the wider energy strategy.
In response, Heritage Western Cape has stated its intent to oppose the City’s court application, although it has refrained from further comment pending the court proceedings.
This standoff between heritage preservation and modern energy needs encapsulates a broader debate about the balance between conserving historical structures and accommodating the urgent transition to sustainable energy in a rapidly changing climate.
In 2024, Cape {town} Etc reported that residents living near the Athlone Power Station have advocated for the site to be used for housing and job creation.
The coal-fired Athlone Power Station stopped generating power in 2003, and its cooling towers were demolished in 2010. Currently, the City of Cape Town is finalising its plans to officially decommission the site.
The City’s mayoral committee member for Energy and Climate Change, Beverley van Reenen, previously said that the site has the potential to enhance the city’s energy landscape.
The chairperson of the Forum of Cape Flats Civics proposed a research and development centre at the site, incorporating sustainability technology like battery power and solar panels, especially in a community-owned grand bazaar setup.
Also read:
Residents call for the Athlone Power Station site to be used for housing
Picture: Screenshot / Google Maps
Source: EWN
