- Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in promoting sustainable energy supply and infrastructure development across South Africa.
- This marks a significant milestone in accelerating the country’s Just Energy Transition programme as South African ports are an integral part of this programme.
This landmark agreement signifies the entities’ readiness to create a more unified and efficient sustainable energy market while ensuring energy security. To ensure the effective implementation of the MoU, governance structures will be established through steering committees with workstreams, each with a specific focus on either technical, regulatory, or strategic aspects. Under this agreement, the partnership will ensure alignment in the licensing and operation of petroleum facilities, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, as well as electricity generation, distribution and transmission facilities.
This aligns with South Africa’s energy plans, including the Integrated Resources Plan and the SA Renewable Energy Masterplan, among others.
As part of its response to address the country’s energy requirements, TNPA is progressing its Gas-to-Power programme, which aims to introduce three (3) bulk LNG terminals at the ports of Richards Bay, Ngqura and Saldanha. Work is already underway for the operationalisation of the country’s first LNG import terminal by 2028 at the Port of Richards Bay, with the Ngqura being operationalised soon thereafter. There is also work for small scale LNG at the other ports to satisfy the growing demand for gas. This is being supplemented by the liquid fuels programme, with the Ngqura tank farm Request for Proposal (RFP) already out in the market. And in addition to that, there is various work being done to develop renewable energy across all eight (8) commercial ports.
The 10-year agreement is set to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework and promote investment in the national port system.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
