Total South Africa
The South African affiliate of TotalEnergies, supplying fuels, lubricants, petroleum products, and renewable power while operating a nationwide service-station network.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Total South Africa, formally TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd, is the South African operating company and brand platform of the French energy group TotalEnergies SE. Its activities span retail and commercial fuels, lubricants, aviation and marine products, liquefied petroleum gas, illuminating paraffin, bitumen, agrochemical products, and food-grade lubricants. The business serves retail motorists as well as commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, aviation, and other institutional customers. The company entered the South African market in December 1954, when Total Oil Products (Pty) Ltd was registered in Pretoria. It established early fuel terminals and service stations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Roodepoort, and Benoni. During the 1960s, the business expanded beyond fuel distribution. In 1967 it adopted the Total South Africa name, acquired an interest in the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) refinery, and created Total Exploration South Africa. These steps gave the local operation a broader role across the petroleum value chain. Total South Africa operates a national network of more than 540 branded service stations, with reference material describing the network as approximately 547 sites. It also supplies fuel and related products to commercial and industrial users and participates in aviation and marine fuel markets. The company holds a 36.4% interest in Natref, a refinery in which it has maintained a significant position since the 1960s. Its South African activities are complemented by wholly owned subsidiaries or operating businesses in Namibia and Eswatini. The business has also developed an expanding renewable-energy portfolio. TotalEnergies led the development of the 86 MW Prieska Solar Power Station in the Northern Cape, which entered service in 2016 and supplies electricity under a long-term power-purchase arrangement with Eskom. In 2023, the company and its partners signed corporate power-purchase agreements covering 260 MW of renewable capacity, comprising a 120 MW solar project and a 140 MW wind project intended to supply Sasol and Air Liquide. Construction of these projects began in December 2023, with operations expected toward the end of 2026. A separate 216 MW solar project incorporating 500 MWh of battery storage has also been associated with the company's renewable-power expansion. Total South Africa therefore combines a conventional petroleum-marketing identity with a transition-oriented energy strategy. Its established business remains concentrated in fuels, service stations, refinery participation, and specialty petroleum products, while solar, wind, and storage projects are intended to increase its role in South Africa's lower-carbon electricity market. The company is also a member and founding participant of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa, established in 1994. Its environmental messaging and offshore gas decisions have nevertheless attracted public and regulatory scrutiny, particularly in relation to alleged greenwashing, marine impacts, and the country's future gas supply.
History
TotalEnergies' South African presence began on 11 December 1954, when Total Oil Products (Pty) Ltd was registered in Pretoria. The company's inaugural board meeting followed shortly afterward. During its first year, it established the physical infrastructure needed to distribute petroleum products, including terminals and service stations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Roodepoort, and Benoni. This initial phase positioned the business primarily as a fuel importer, distributor, and retailer. The local operation broadened its scope during the 1960s. In 1967 it became known as Total South Africa (Pty) Ltd, acquired a 30% stake in Natref, and formed Total Exploration South Africa. The refinery investment and exploration subsidiary marked a move from downstream marketing toward a more integrated energy model. Total South Africa subsequently developed activities in fuels, lubricants, aviation products, bitumen, paraffin, LPG, and other specialized petroleum products. Its customer base expanded beyond motorists to commercial, industrial, agricultural, aviation, and marine users. The company later maintained a significant position in Natref, with the reference material identifying its current interest as 36.4%. Its branded retail network grew to more than 540 service stations across South Africa. The organization also extended its regional footprint through operations in Namibia and Eswatini. In the South African fuels sector, it was among the founding members of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa when that organization was established in 1994. Renewable electricity became an increasingly important part of the company's local strategy. TotalEnergies led development of the 86 MW Prieska Solar Power Station in the Northern Cape. The project entered operation in 2016 and was connected to a long-term power-purchase arrangement with Eskom, supplying electricity equivalent to the consumption of approximately 75,000 South African homes. This project provided an early example of the company's effort to combine its established energy-marketing business with utility-scale renewable generation. The transition agenda accelerated in the 2020s. In November 2023, TotalEnergies and its partners signed corporate power-purchase agreements covering 260 MW of renewable capacity: a 120 MW solar project and a 140 MW wind project intended to provide electricity to Sasol and Air Liquide. Construction began in December 2023 in the Northern Cape, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2026. A further 216 MW solar facility with 500 MWh of battery storage was planned under South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. The storage design was intended to provide a dependable daily dispatch window rather than only intermittent daytime generation. The local business has continued to face questions associated with the energy transition. The Advertising Regulatory Board criticized a SANParks-linked campaign for presenting the company’s sustainability credentials in a misleading way, a finding the company appealed. Separately, TotalEnergies' withdrawal from the Brulpadda and Luiperd offshore gas projects generated criticism from officials concerned about domestic gas availability. Environmental groups and small-scale fishing communities have also challenged offshore gas-development proposals, particularly an application relating to waters off Port Nolloth and Hondeklip Bay. These disputes illustrate the tension between the company's legacy petroleum and gas operations, its stated shift toward lower-carbon energy, and South African communities' expectations regarding environmental protection and economic participation. Today, Total South Africa is formally known as TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa (Pty) Ltd. It remains a major fuel marketer with a national retail network and a broad commercial-products business, while its renewable projects provide a growing second pillar. The company is described as having 50.1% ownership by TotalEnergies SE and 49.9% by South African stakeholders represented by TOSACO, and as holding Level 1 B-BBEE status.
- 2023
Corporate renewable-power agreements signed
[1]Agreements covering 260 MW of solar and wind capacity were signed for corporate customers including Sasol and Air Liquide.
- 2023
Northern Cape renewable projects enter construction
[1]Construction began on a 120 MW solar plant and a 140 MW wind farm, with operations expected toward the end of 2026.
- 2022
Offshore gas application attracts objections
[1]A gas-development application concerning the Port Nolloth–Hondeklip Bay area prompted objections from activists and small-scale fishers.
- 2016
Prieska Solar Power Station enters operation
[1]The 86 MW Prieska solar project in the Northern Cape came online under a long-term power-purchase arrangement with Eskom.
- 1994
Founding participation in fuels-industry association
[1]Total South Africa was among the founding members of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa.
- 1967
Rebrand and move toward integrated energy operations
[1]The business became Total South Africa (Pty) Ltd, acquired a 30% Natref stake, and formed Total Exploration South Africa.
- 1955
Initial terminals and service stations established
[1]The company established early fuel terminals and service stations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Roodepoort, and Benoni.
- 1954
South African company registered
[1]Total Oil Products (Pty) Ltd was registered in Pretoria on 11 December, establishing Total's direct South African presence.
Products and positioning
An integrated South African energy marketer combining a large petroleum retail and commercial-fuels network with refinery participation and an increasingly visible renewable-power portfolio.
Petroleum retail
Retail fuels
TotalEnergies branded service stations distribute road fuels to motorists across South Africa. The retail network is described as exceeding 540 locations and forms the most visible part of the local brand.
Energy supply
Commercial and industrial fuels
The company supplies petroleum products to commercial, industrial, agricultural, mining, and other institutional users. These activities extend beyond forecourt sales into bulk and contract fuel supply.
Specialty petroleum products
Lubricants
The local portfolio includes automotive and industrial lubricants, as well as food-grade lubricants for applications where incidental contact with food-processing environments must be managed.
Transport fuels
Aviation and marine fuels
Total South Africa supplies aviation fuel and marine fuel to transport and commercial customers, complementing its road-fuel and industrial-energy activities.
Road-construction materials
Bitumen and bitumen emulsions
Bitumen and bitumen emulsions are supplied for road-building and related infrastructure uses, extending the company's petroleum-products business into construction materials.
Renewable electricity · 2016
Prieska Solar Power Station
The 86 MW Prieska facility in the Northern Cape was led by TotalEnergies and entered operation in 2016. It supplies power under a long-term agreement with Eskom.
Renewable electricity · 2023
Northern Cape solar and wind projects
The company's newer renewable portfolio includes a 120 MW solar plant and a 140 MW wind farm developed under corporate power-purchase agreements for major industrial customers.
Controversies
Advertising Regulatory Board greenwashing finding
The Advertising Regulatory Board ruled that a SANParks-linked campaign gave a misleading impression of the company's sustainability record while it continued to pursue fossil-fuel projects. TotalEnergies disputed the ruling and appealed.
Marketing campaigns
- SANParks sustainability campaign
South Africa
A TotalEnergies campaign associated with SANParks promoted the company's sustainability and conservation positioning.
Outcome. The Advertising Regulatory Board found the advertising misleading on greenwashing grounds. TotalEnergies appealed the finding.
Brand decisions
2023
Development of 260 MW corporate renewable portfolioProduct launchBackground
Industrial customers sought additional renewable electricity through corporate power-purchase agreements in South Africa.
Action taken
TotalEnergies and partners signed agreements covering a 120 MW solar project and a 140 MW wind project for Sasol and Air Liquide, followed by construction in the Northern Cape.
Aftermath
The projects were expected to begin operating toward the end of 2026 and reinforced the company's move into utility-scale renewable power.
- Withdrawal from Brulpadda and Luiperd gas projectsStrategy
Background
TotalEnergies had held a reported 45% interest in the offshore Brulpadda and Luiperd gas projects and had invested approximately $400 million, according to the reference material.
Action taken
The company decided to withdraw from the projects.
Aftermath
The decision drew criticism from policymakers concerned that the withdrawal could worsen South Africa's future gas-supply position.
Reported investment.
- Expansion into solar, wind, and storageStrategy
Background
South Africa's electricity shortages and decarbonization policies created demand for new generation and storage capacity.
Action taken
The company pursued a 216 MW solar project with 500 MWh of battery storage under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
Aftermath
The project was expected to dispatch 75 MW of dependable power daily during a defined morning-to-evening period, with online timing reported as 2025.
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