Premier Mtshweni-Tsipane lauds the discovery of gas reserves in Secunda as key to energy supply in South Africa
27 August 2023Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has lauded the discovery of gas reserves in Secunda, in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, by an Australian-listed company, Kinetiko Energy. The gas is key for the supply of sustainable cleaner energy, amid South Africa’s just energy transition.
It is envisaged that the gas project, worth above a billion rand, will produce 50MW, in the first stage, and 500MW in the second stage, through the abstraction of over 2 trillion cubic feet in gas reserves.
Mtshweni-Tsipane says the gas project is a massive investment to the Mpumalanga economy, with a potential to boost the country’s power supply. “The gas discovery is evidence to our assertion that Mpumalanga is the home of the energy grid. It positions our Province right at the centre of the just energy transition and as a source of reference for the country’s emission-reduction targets,” the Premier emphasised.
The gas discovery is timely, amid Mpumalanga’s economic recovery plan, since COVID-19. Mtshweni-Tsipane categorised it as the biggest since COVID-19 and that it fits in with the Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (MERRP), designed to stimulate the Provincial economy, to create the much-needed job opportunities through investments.
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Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Enquiries:
Provincial Government’s Spokesperson:George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za