Johannesburg - South Africa needs to move towards reducing its reliance on imported energy, as by 2030 global energy demand will have grown by 50 percent.

Speaking at South Africa’s first Energy Summit on Tuesday, Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica said energy demand is currently outstripping energy supply, and South Africa needs to move to a state of self sufficiency.

Ms Sonjica said in 2000, South Africa used 20.8 billion litres of refined products, increasing usage to 24.4 billion litres in 2006.

The theme of this year’s summit is, “Energy security for sustainable and shared economic growth for all.”

The minister said the theme was chosen mainly because the Department of Minerals and Energy is responsible for ensuring security of energy supply in South Africa.

The department also took it upon itself to heed President Thabo Mbeki’s call during his State of the Nation Address in February, challenging government to intensify the struggle against poverty, address the challenges of the second economy, provide basic services to the people, and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

The local energy sector, she said is a relatively stable one in the long run, but experienced periodic variations brought about by external factors such as environmental, technical and social issues.

It is with this in mind, she said that the department has therefore made a commitment to review the White Paper on Energy Policy 1998.

The Energy White Paper of 1998 will give direction for energy policy for the next 10 years, said the minister.

“As we all know energy has the power to fuel not only the productivity of our businesses, but also to facilitate and enable growth in our poor and developing communities as well.

“It is therefore important for us to ensure that the policies and legislations governing this sector take all these priorities in account and offers solutions that enable us to attain them,” said the minister.

In 1994 only 40 percent of the population had access to electricity; however to date 74 percent now has access to electricity which leaves a 26 percent backlog, she said.

South Africa is the lowest cost producer of electricity in the world and the minister noted that she would like to maintain this.

The review process during the summit includes extensive stakeholder consultation aimed at finding ways to streamline the efficacy of the White Paper, identifying any emergent policy gaps that have developed since 1998.

Delivering her keynote address via a recorded message from China at the summit, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said energy is vital to any developing country.

The deputy president also called on the department to intensify its fight against poverty, highlighting that 22 million South Africans needed to be rescued from dire poverty.

The Energy Summit will also include an exhibition, where leading energy companies in South Africa will receive the opportunity to showcase their latest products and services.

Complimenting the exhibition delegates will also be able to debate practical business solutions amongst other leading stakeholders. - BuaNews