South African Minister of Energy Benedict Martins and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman met December 2, 2013, in Washington, DC, for the fourth U.S.-South African Energy Dialogue, together with representatives of supporting U.S. and South African agencies. They reaffirmed the strong ongoing energy development in both nations -- including shale gas, civilian nuclear energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency --to meet our shared energy and climate goals, and the important role of private trade and investment in achieving those goals.

The Minister and the Deputy Secretary agreed to:

  1. Increase collaboration on the safe and efficient development of hydrocarbon resources, to include shale gas, offshore conventional oil and gas, coal bed methane resources, and methane hydrates, and to promote the safe and efficient development and production of resources in conjunction with more efficient water usage.
  2. Enhance Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum engagement with South Africa on carbon capture sequestration capacity-building and resources assessment.
  3. Work together to support South Africa’s participation in the Clean Energy Ministerial’s 21st Century Power Partnership. Secretary Moniz and Minister Martins plan to attend the fifth CEM in May 2014 in South Korea.
  4. Work more closely on solar, wind, biogas, and combined heat and power, as well as ways to make clear the opportunities to participate in the fourth and fifth electricity bid rounds for renewable energy in South Africa.
  5. Explore joint efforts to expand cooperation in civil nuclear power, including holding the first Nuclear Joint Coordination Committee in early 2014.
  6. Enhance cooperation in capacity-building and education support to increase economic and employment opportunities for both nations.

They further agreed to monitor these areas of cooperation and to consult in six months to evaluate progress and consider next steps.

During their visit the South African delegation will also meet with U.S. companies at  the Nuclear Energy Institute and visit the Marcellus Shale.