Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd

Astron Energy owns the crude oil refinery in Cape Town and runs one of South Africa’s largest fuel retail networks under the Caltex brand. The business traded as Chevron South Africa until its sale, when it took the name Astron Energy. The refinery has a nameplate capacity of around 100 000 barrels a day, according to a provider record checked in August 2026.

Registered name

Astron Energy (Pty) Ltd

Type

Private company (fuel refining and retail)

Fields funded

Engineering fields linked to refining

Website

astronenergy.co.za

Astron Energy’s investment in maths and science

Astron Energy’s social investment page focuses heavily on school maths and science. Together with the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME), Astron Energy set up a resource centre in the Umlazi District of KwaZulu-Natal that gives teachers access to natural sciences, physical sciences and maths resources.

In 2018 Astron Energy extended that work by funding a Science2Go Mobile Resource Centre. Using mobile laboratory equipment and materials, the Science2Go team supports maths and science learning at 31 schools and reached more than 20 000 learners in the Durban area.

Those projects explain the logic behind Astron Energy’s bursary. A refinery needs engineers, and engineers need strong school maths and science; Astron Energy invests at both ends of that pipeline.

A December bursary deadline

Astron Energy’s bursary closes in December. The 2026 round closed on 10 December 2025 at 12:00, and the 2027 call had not been published when BursariesAfrica checked. If Astron Energy follows its recent pattern, expect a closing date in early to mid-December 2026.

Researching Astron Energy before applying

Refinery bursaries generally suit chemical, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineering students. Before applying, find out what a refinery does, from separating crude oil into fuels to the safety systems that protect workers and neighbouring communities. Astron Energy’s website explains its fuels and its approach to fuel pricing, which helps applicants understand the retail side too.

Ask Astron Energy whether bursars do vacation work at the Cape Town refinery, whether the bursary gives preference to applicants from the Western Cape, and what obligations bursars accept. Because the deadline falls in the examination season, prepare documents in November.

Astron Energy’s Caltex service station network also creates opportunities in retail and marketing, although the bursary itself focuses on the technical skills the refinery needs.

Engineering students can compare Astron Energy with other energy companies on our Engineering Bursaries page.