Industrial-scale supplies of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will soon be competitive in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Virtual Gas Network is currently setting up operations in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) to ensure a seamless supply of Natural Gas to industrial KZN.

Why KZN?

The expansion to the KZN region has been long in coming. With one of the fastest-growing provincial economies, KZN now demands a reliable, economical energy alternative. Natural Gas has become an absolute necessity. 

The Government has put in place measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement South African emissions will peak between 2020 and 2025 and then reduce through the 2030’s. Virtual Gas Network’s expansion to the KZN area is part of the solution, with the IDC having a 38% shareholding the company is well funded to make an impact in KZN both to the industrial market and the vehicle industry.

About CNG

Natural gas burns cleaner, costs less than the vast majority of fossil fuels, is unaffected by the price of crude oil or the exchange rate. It is the perfect replacement for paraffin, LPG and fuel oils. Not only does it not attract carbon taxes it does, in fact, generate carbon credits. . It emits fewer amounts of toxic chemicals like nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide and has virtually no particulate matter. It is the perfect fuel for running medium speed gas generators and gas turbines for primary supply or backup. Because it is so clean burning it is possible to capture the heat generated in generators and turbines for use in boilers, ovens, kilns etc. reducing the overall energy requirements of any manufacturing facility.

Power generation is growing not only in industry but also in housing estates where CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) can offer reticulation lines to every home offering a ready energy source for geysers, heating, cooling and power supply.

A province with a large industrial base like KZN needs an alternative fuel that is friendlier to the environment. Virtual Gas Network has considered these facts when selecting KZN as the next area of expansion. Natural Gas is essential to the energy mix.

It is abundant – available figures show that if global consumption remained at today’s levels, there would be enough recoverable natural gas resources to last around 230 years.

Supply and demand

Recent Natural Gas recoveries make it an abundant fuel; this has a direct impact on the low global prices of Natural Gas. Very little processing happens to Natural Gas after it is pumped up to the surface, this reduces the cost of production of the gas and the cost to industry.

Virtual Gas Network specialises in taking all the advantages of Natural Gas to clients not currently connected to the pipeline. Using compressors to compress the gas to 250bar in trailers each able to carry 200GJ of energy Virtual Gas Network delivers green energy to clients within 250km of their compression facility. Clients using more than 15 000 GJ each attest to the effectiveness, professionalism and reliability of the Virtual Gas Method.

Future Trends

Natural gas is a growing industry. Countries like China are looking to replicate the success of countries like the USA, which are making the most from the availability of Natural Gas. Virtual Gas Network is leading the charts, gradually growing Natural Gas accessibility to the rest of the country.