Can gas solve South Africa’s power crisis?

Domestic production and LNG imports are on the table as the country seeks to restore energy security

South Africa can no longer keep the lights on. Lengthy power cuts, known locally as ‘load shedding’, have become a fact of life as the country’s ageing coal-fired power stations increasingly break down. The situation prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a “state of disaster” in February. “The impact of load shedding is disastrous for our economy,” says Adrian Strydom, CEO of the South African Oil & Gas Alliance, an industry lobby group. The country is importing ZAR3bn ($155mn) in diesel per month, he says, as the beleaguered population resorts to expensive and polluting generators. “Delays in introducing a clear governing framework complicates taking investment decisions w