It was envisioned that more fuel capacity to the inland of South Africa would be required by 2015 to meet growing fuel demand in the country
The current refined petroleum liquid fuels pipeline – known as the Durban-Johannesburg Pipeline (DJP) – had already reached full capacity, and was nearing the end of its economic life. Following the fuel crisis the country experienced in December 2005, this project was put into motion.
"Build national infrastructure capacity ahead of demand”.
Based on the review results, Government requested that the original planned 16-inch-diameter NMPP replacement pipeline be increased in diameter to 24 inches to cater for future demand beyond 2015, in line with policy to "build national infrastructure capacity ahead of demand”
In December 2007, Transnet Pipelines (a division of Transnet SOC Ltd) received a licence from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to construct and operate the NMPP from Durban to Gauteng. The NMPP is fully aligned with the Departments of Public Enterprises and Energy’s Strategic Master Plan for South Africa, and has in place the necessary statutory and regulatory authorisations, including those required for environmental compliance, for each stage of the project.