Conference Programme

On 24 June 2022, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy promulgated the Clean Fuels II regulations, setting new petroleum product specifications and standards for implementation on 1 July 2027. This milestone aligns South Africa with Euro 5 vehicle emission requirements by reducing sulphur content in petrol and diesel to 10 ppm and tightening limits on aromatics, benzene, and olefins. These enhancements will enable the use of advanced emission-control technologies, significantly cut harmful vehicle emissions, and support the country's broader environmental and sustainability commitments. This panel discussion will examine the far-reaching implications of Clean Fuels II for the petroleum industry, including required infrastructure upgrades, refining investments, and regulatory readiness. It will also explore the opportunities created by cleaner fuels for improved air quality, technological innovation, competitive mobility solutions, and long-term economic growth.

The global shift toward NEVs—including electric, hydrogen-powered, and hybrid technologies—is reshaping the future of mobility and fundamentally transforming traditional fuel markets. As governments intensify decarbonisation commitments, automakers accelerate innovation, and consumers demand cleaner transport options, the momentum behind NEVs continues to grow. This transition carries major implications for fuel producers, distributors, and infrastructure developers who must adapt to a rapidly evolving energy landscape. This panel will explore how the increasing uptake of NEVs is redefining energy demand, influencing long-term fuel consumption trends, and prompting strategic shifts within the petroleum sector. It will also examine the infrastructure requirements for supporting NEV deployment, from public charging networks to hydrogen refuelling systems, as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating these technologies into existing energy frameworks. Participants will discuss the policy drivers, market signals, and technological advancements shaping the NEV transition, and consider what a balanced, sustainable mobility ecosystem could look like for South Africa and the broader region.

Since the publication of South Africa's Biofuels Industrial Strategy in 2007, progress toward integrating biofuels into the national energy mix has been measured and complex. While the strategy set out to advance energy security, rural development, and economic diversification, implementation has faced challenges ranging from regulatory uncertainty to feedstock constraints and limited large-scale investment. In today's context of accelerating global decarbonisation, biofuels are gaining renewed relevance as a practical and scalable component of the energy transition—particularly in sectors where electrification remains difficult. As countries and energy producers seek balanced pathways toward lower emissions, biofuels present an opportunity to bridge existing infrastructure with cleaner alternatives. This panel will explore the evolving role of biofuels within both the global and South African energy landscape, examining market trends, investment signals, and the integration of biofuels into broader low-carbon strategies. It will consider how international experience and private sector leadership are shaping the future of biofuels, and what this means for local industry development.