South Africa faces a critical energy challenge as the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy raises the alarm over the country’s fast-approaching “gas cliff.”
The warning follows a series of briefings from key industry stakeholders and government bodies, highlighting the anticipated drop in natural gas supplies from Mozambique’s Pande and Temane fields by 2028.
These gas fields currently play a vital role in powering South Africa’s economy, supplying a significant portion of its natural gas needs. The decline in output is expected to have serious repercussions, including a threat to more than 13,000 direct jobs.
Previous reports also indicate that this gas supply contributes approximately five percent to the national GDP, with around 70,000 jobs indirectly at risk.
The committee stressed the urgency of developing a coordinated national response, underlining the limited time available to address the issue.
With less than six years remaining before the projected shortfall, the country must implement strategic interventions to avoid severe energy insecurity.
Members of the committee warned that a failure to act could undermine industrial activity, disrupt energy supply, and weaken South Africa’s economic competitiveness.
The chairperson emphasised the scale of the risk, urging collaboration across both public and private sectors to avert the crisis.
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has also previously acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, cautioning that the gas cliff is not a distant threat but an imminent challenge.
However, he maintained that it can be addressed if stakeholders leverage available knowledge, experience, and partnerships to chart a sustainable path forward.
The committee’s call for immediate and unified action marks a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing efforts to secure a stable and resilient energy future.
Facebook Comments