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Project Mthombo is a PetroSA initiative to build a world-class crude refinery in the Coega Industrial Development Zone in the Eastern Cape. Once built, it will be the biggest in Africa and provide a national security of supply for South Africa's future fuel requirements.

National demand for refined fuels already exceeds South Africa's refining capacity and the demand is set to increase further: Diesel consumption is forecast to grow at 6% and petrol at 2% per annum between 2009 and 2020.



It is estimated that by 2015 South Africa will have to import 8.5 billion litres of fuel per annum (equivalent to 150 000 barrels per day) if there is no significant investment in local refining capacity.

Importing this much refined fuel will have a negative impact on the country's foreign exchange reserves and makes national supply very vulnerable to external factors.

The South African government is concerned about being dependent on international oil companies to secure the country's future liquid fuels energy needs. It has introduced the Energy Security Master Plan to address this, which calls for PetroSA to provide strategic leadership to achieve security of supply.

Project Mthombo is the keystone in delivering on this plan.

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