Gas shortage hits SA

Published Jun 29, 2011

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Eskom and City Power public service announcements have been telling you to switch to gas for your energy needs. They’ve neglected to mention that there’s a major shortage across the country.

The government and the electricity giant have been recommending gas as an alternative to coal power for weeks, but for the thousands of Joburg residents who rely on liquid petroleum gas bottles, it was a cold weekend. And the shortage won’t be ending anytime soon.

The largest supplier of LP gas in South Africa, Afrox, has been forced to import the gas from overseas after several local refineries were shut down for maintenance at the same time.

While the shortage appeared to have hit only two weeks ago, the imported gas will be arriving only at the end of July, which means another month without the usual reliable gas sources for the heating, cooking and lighting needs of thousands.

Daphne Bekker has relied on gas for years after moving into her home in Highlands North, but has spent the past week-and-a-half hunting across Joburg for gas canisters to power her heaters and stove.

“We’re in the middle of winter. They want us to save electricity, but they don’t make any announcements about the gas,” said Bekker.

Her husband’s office also relies on gas canisters for heat and has sent a driver across the city and to Pretoria, but with very little luck.

Bekker herself was the one to snag the last gas canister at High Speed Gas on Louis Botha Avenue, but knows that it will last only about 10 days in her household.

According to Afrox spokesman Simon Miller, the high demand for gas over winter and a number of refineries closing down for maintenance simultaneously have sent supply into a tailspin.

“I also don’t have any gas(at home) right now,” he told The Star on Tuesday.

Afrox, along with several other gas suppliers, is now importing from overseas while they wait for the maintenance work to be completed.

As the allegedly unscheduled maintenance at the Engen and Shell refineries has reduced supplies across the city, the Sasol refinery is doing its best to keep up with the heightened demand.

According to Sasol Oil spokeswoman Leonilda Koster, the company had been approached by rivals to ask for help producing extra LP gas.

The Secunda-based refinery is now working overtime, but it will take several weeks to refine a larger amount of gas.

Gauteng isn’t the only province affected by the shortage, as unscheduled maintenance at one of the largest refineries in KwaZulu-Natal is required next week, affecting coastal areas. “The planned maintenance in KwaZulu-Natal will also affect supply in Durban,” said Miller.

Residents who receive their gas from local pipelines are, however, unaffected, with Egoli Gas reporting no lack of gas in its pipes.

One of the few outlets still carrying gas canisters are Builders Warehouses across Joburg, with Miller saying they had had a surplus before the peak demand period. However, head office was unable to confirm this, saying certain branches might have supplies. - The Star

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