The conference hopes to bring together decision makers who can support the country’s desire to become a leading energy hub.
International energy partners and South Africa’s Minister of Energy Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi are expected to meet in Durban in October, to explore the potential for the southern African country to build a stronger gas economy.
The newly named International Gas Cooperation Summit (IGCS) evolves from the previous summit: South Africa: Gas Options that was held in Cape Town during the past two years.
The summit aims to attract partners in government and the public sector, as well as gas developers, institutional investors and technology providers. Discussions will be held to explore how natural gas can play a greater role in South Africa’s energy mix.
So far, several public and private sector leaders in the industry have endorsed the upcoming summit. This includes energy regulator NERSA, Transnet, Council for Scientific Industrial Research (“CSIR“) and White & Case LLP. Support from the private sector includes Development Bank of Southern Africa (“DBSA“), Fieldstone Africa, Webber Wentzel and Nedbank, among others.
It is expected that the agenda will include discussions on gas infrastructure. IGCS will also showcase gas procurement, utilisation projects, strategies and highlight the global gas outlook for Southern Africa. Presentations will include several case studies on the modelling of a gas economy, how to accelerate gas infrastructure and the cost of diving into downstream.
The goal of this gathering is to draw on partners from the previous Gas Options meetings to continue to support the crucial objectives for both international and national investors.
Happy Masondo, Director and Head of the Technology Practice at Werksmans Attorneys states: “It is imperative for a diverse energy mix to include gas with the objective of gradually reducing South Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels and being the country closer to energy security while reducing CO² emission”.
A special conference for the Black Industrialists Programme with its major stakeholders will take place alongside the broader IGCS meeting.
The IGCS Summit will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani hotel in Durban, South Africa between 9 – 11 October 2017.
The LEX Africa member for South Africa is Werksmans Attorneys.
