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Energy: Non-renewable fuels
The Department of Minerals and Energy's Hydrocarbons and Energy Planning Branch is responsible for coal, gas, liquid fuels, energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy planning
Gas
Current development of regional gas-fields will lead to natural gas becoming a more important fuel in South Africa. With the availability of natural gas in neighbouring countries, such as Mozambique and Namibia, and the discovery of offshore gas reserves in South Africa, the gas industry in South Africa is undergoing rapid expansion. PetroSA is a pioneer in the field of gas to liquids (GTL) technology, recognised around the world for producing the cleanest fuels through an environmentally responsible process that releases minimal emissions. The company is responsible for producing and marketing synthetic fuels produced from offshore gas produced at its Mossel Bay refinery in the Western Cape, which is the world’s largest commercial gas to liquids plant.
Coal
South Africa's indigenous energy resource base is dominated by coal. Internationally, coal is the most widely used primary fuel, accounting for about 36 percent of the total fuel consumption of the world's electricity production. About 77 percent of South Africa's primary energy needs are provided by coal. This is unlikely to change significantly in the next two decades owing to the relative lack of suitable alternatives to coal as an energy source.
About 51 percent of South African coal mining is done underground and about 49 percent is produced by open-cast methods. The coal-mining industry is highly concentrated with five companies accounting for 85 percent of saleable coal production.
Employers in this sector:
- PetroSA
- Sasol
- Ingwe Collieries Limited
- Anglo Coal
- Sasol
- Eyesizwe
- Kumba Resources Limited
Skills Programmes supported by The Western Cape's Department of Economic Development & Tourism (DEDAT):
- Oil & Gas
- Short training programmes are offered to candidates in:
- welding
- boilermaking
- pipefitting
- rigging
- rope access
- offshore survival skills
- quality controlling
- fall arrest
- fitting
- burning
- supervisory courses.
To apply you need to meet the following requirements:
- be a minimum of 17 years old
- high literacy and numeracy levels
- pass an aptitude assessment.
