The debate surrounding hydraulic fracturing or fracking of the
Karoo's potentially massive shale gas reserves continues to
rage. There are strong arguments both for and against harvesting
the gas which could potentially alter South Africa's energy and
development outlook for many years to come. The issue has also
triggered major legislative changes.
Matt Ash, head of premier law firm Norton Rose Fulbright's
Sub-Saharan African energy division recently discussed some of the
key drivers behind the issue as well as some of the legislative
spinoffs.
"South Africa is currently beset by a number of
socio-economic challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, high
levels of unemployment and a looming energy deficit," says
Ash. "In a bid to tackle these issues, government has
introduced a number of initiatives including the National
Development Plan (NDP) and the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP).
