South Africa needed an energy data base with credible and transparent information, to ensure that it would be able to attract foreign direct investment, especially to the energy sector, KPMG public sector advisory director Tony Vicente commented at the Energy for Action conference on Thursday.

Vicente told conference delegates that a lot of information and data on South Africa’s energy sector, which was currently available, was outdated.

This could lead to a delay in significant energy reforms and investment, as investors are sometimes not looking at current information.

The proposed data base should be run by the country’s energy regulator or energy authority, he noted, adding that the data base should provide clear information on the energy output, shortages or surpluses.

Not only would this assist in attracting investment and financing to the sector, but it would also ensure cooperative agreements between government, business and other organisations.