TotalEnergies: Seven decades dedicated to South Africa’s energy future This piece from TotalEnergies, a silver sponsor of the 2026 Fuels Industry Imbizo, outlines the contributions the company has made and continues to make to South Africa’s energy sector.
W hen TotalEnergies was found- ed on 11 December 1954, no one could have foreseen the critical role this company would play in strengthening South Africa’s economy. Less than a year after the first TotalEnergies service station sold petrol in March 1955, seven more service stations were completed in the Johannesburg and Pretoria regions. The commissioning of a Durban terminal in 1957 and the Cape Town terminal and branch in 1960 soon followed. The company’s leadership clearly ar- ticulated the importance of corporate social investment (CSI) early on, and some long- standing partnerships in agriculture, human development and clean energy solutions have spanned decades. The year 1971 was significant for both the company and the country, with the develop- ment of the NATREF refinery, South Africa’s
only inland crude oil refinery, marking a pro - nounced step forward in local refinery capac - ity. Simultaneously, TotalEnergies operations also evolved, becoming a fully integrated company with exploration, refining, storage and distribution of a comprehensive range of petroleum products. TotalEnergies opened a lubricating oil refinery in Durban, founded subsidiary companies in neighbouring terri- tories, and saw the first coal export from the Ermelo Mines development. Captured in the ethos, ‘Better togeth- er’, advancing transformation is one of TotalEnergies’ top long-term priorities, both from within and outside of the company. As an employer, the company has been awarded the Top Employers certification for four consecutive years, highlighting its com- mitment to a positive work environment and career development. In 2019, TotalEnergies proudly achieved a Level 1 B-BBEE status,
reflecting its continued commitment to inclusive growth and social value creation. TotalEnergies has also supported enter- prise development, being the first industry leader to bring fuel service stations to previ- ously disadvantaged areas, and prioritising local community involvement through its retail and distribution models. To further contribute to an energy- secure future, TotalEnergies is developing a 700-MW portfolio of solar projects. This includes the Prieska solar power plant, the Sasol-Air Liquide agreement to supply 260 MW of renewable energy capacity, and a 216 MW solar power plant with 500 MWh of battery storage. TotalEnergies looks forward to continu- ing to play a critical role in SA’s energy landscape. https://totalenergies.com/ south-africa
Your daily business partner
Approved over 200 times by truck manufacturers, Rubia lubricants bring their drivers peace of mind, day after day.
*For Rubia Range in its entirety. lubricants.totalenergies.com
8 ¦ MechChem Africa • May-June 2026
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker