This represented a very important investment for KwaZulu-Natal but there was a more urgent priority which delivery of this project would impact on.
Gas is an industry with great promise and potential in our country and the southern African region.
The availability of gas therefore complements South Africa's rich mineral deposits and, its introduction into South Africa's mainstream energy supply will promote the security of energy supply through diversity. Our country has a growing national gas infrastructure stretching from Sasolburg in the Northern Free State, through the Vereeniging, Johannesburg and East Rand industrial areas, from Secunda on to Witbank and Middleburg, Newcastle, Richards Bay and now down to Durban South. The pipeline to Durban-South covers distribution lines in the industrial areas of Merebank, Prospecton, Isipingo and Umbogintwini. This relatively small but robust, rapidly growing and profitable coal gas industry bodes well for the future of natural gas in South Africa, especially as the traditional bulk markets such as electricity generation and large chemical plants have not yet been tapped. There is a pressing need, for environmental management of the Durban South Area.