The technical modelling work for South Africa’s Gas Master Plan has been completed, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announced at the Southern Africa Oil & Gas Conference (SAOGC) in Cape Town this week – whereby the African Energy Chamber serves as a Strategic Partner.
Thabang Audat, Chief Director Energy Policy at the DMPR, explained that public consultation for the masterplan has been finalized, and now an internal review will be conducted. He said: “What is left for us to do is get the necessary approvals, including intergovernmental, and go through a stakeholder consultation process outside of government. Ultimately, with the goal of presenting [the Gas Master Plan] to cabinet for approval.”
The Gas Master Plan is a policy instrument aimed at ensuring security of gas supply in South Africa by diversifying supply options from both local and international markets. The plan offers a comprehensive strategy for the country’s gas sector and comes as major projects in Mozambique come online while offshore exploration advances in South Africa and Namibia. These developments offer a vital opportunity for South Africa to harness both domestic and regional resources, with the Gas Master Plan laying the framework for grid-connected gas projects.
“South Africa normalizes the use of natural gas but it is the only country in the G20 that doesn’t have grid-connected gas-to-power. This must change. The Orange Basin is clearly going to transform Namibia, and if South Africa finds oil, it will lock in sizeable growth for at least the next decade. If you grow, you need more electricity. The only solution that can be relied upon is gas-to-power,” stated Paul Eardley-Taylor, Head of Oil & Gas at Standard Bank.
The Gas Master Plan, therefore, will play a catalyzing role in attracting investment across the natural gas value chain in South Africa. According to Dr. Dax Driver, President & CEO, Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, “Through a Gas Master Plan, you can create a strong portfolio with diverse [supplies]. It is important to have a plan, but also understand that you need to adapt and change in certain circumstances. Changes come when there are major finds.”
In addition to the Gas Master Plan, South Africa is developing an Oceans Economy Master Plan, encouraging sector growth, investment, job creation and competitiveness within South Africa’s ocean’s economy. The plan aims to advance stabilization revival and growth of the sub-sectors within the ocean economy.
According to Unathi Sonti, Chairman, Maritime Business Chamber, these include “marine manufacturing and engineering, marine transport and ports, and issues related to fisheries and oil and gas. The masterplan is a target-driven plan. Part of the oil and gas industry is offshore exploration. Hence, oil and gas are one of the key critical sub-sectors that have been identified in the masterplan.”
Both the Gas Master Plan and Oceans Economy Master Plan aim to drive long-term and impactful economic growth in South Africa. SAOGC 2025 highlighted the importance of these policies. The African Energy Chamber – the voice of the African energy sector – was a Strategic Partner of the event.
