Kusile coal-fired power station
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
Also in this section
29 January 2026
Caught between LNG risks from across the Atlantic and the wounds from Russian gas dependence, Europe needs more than a simple diversification strategy
28 January 2026
The alliance looks to bolster market management credibility by bringing greater clarity and unity to output cuts and producer capacity later in 2026
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
