South Africa has taken the step of implementing diesel rationing, as there is an unexpected rise in demand for the fuel.
More than half of the country’s refining capacity has been shut down in line with lockdown regulations.When lockdown was instated on March 26, there was restricted activity on essential services. As the rules have begun relaxing, more industries that need diesel will begin operations.
“The opening of the economy has resulted in a more rapid recovery than expected,” the South African Petroleum Industry Association said in a statement on Tuesday. “Stock rationing has been implemented to manage demand and to preserve supplies, and is expected to continue to the end of May.”
During an interview with BusinessTech, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said that diesel stocks are already low.