Discussion Document on The Review of Fuel Specifications and Standards for South Africa
Click here to view the draft Discussion document on the review of fuel specifications and standards for South Africa.
Indigenous Oil and Gas Resources The Department of Energy is committed to the promotion of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), which is cleaner and safer and can serve as an efficient burning energy source. It is better-burning fuel for cooking and heating and does not generate smoke, dust and choking fumes like most other hydrocarbon fuels. The government is committed to making liquid petroleum gas more affordable for cooking and heating to reduce the need for large investments in power generation. The LPG Association undertook to connect 250 000 low-income households by March 2005 and a further 3-million by 2008. However, only 23 000 households were connected by March 2005. The department is addressing the problems of this project. For example, among the obstacles encountered was the price of LPG and the cost of cylinders. Once these become affordable, a large market will open up. Eskom is also supporting the initiative.
Importing and Exporting The import of refined products is restricted to special cases where local producers cannot meet demand. It is subject to state control to promote local refinery utilisation. When overproduction occurs, export permits are required and generally granted, provided that both South Africa's and other Southern African Customs Union members' requirements are met. More diesel than petrol is exported, owing to the balance of supply and demand of petrol and diesel relative to refinery configurations.