Supporting development of green hydrogen production in South Africa

Context

South Africa holds prime potential to position itself as a global leader in green hydrogen production. With abundant renewable energy resources, including ideal conditions for wind and solar energy, the country can establish large scale solar and wind farms. Furthermore, South Africa already operates synthetic fuel production facilities, which currently rely on coal but could transition to cleaner alternatives. Additionally, the country’s vast platinum reserves, essential for electrolysers and fuel cell production, provide a strategic advantage.

By capitalising on these resources, South Africa can not only export green hydrogen and its derivatives, but also significantly reduce domestic carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels. This transition also presents an opportunity to create alternative employment for workers currently employed in the coal industry, helping to drive economic diversification that could offer alternative employment options.

Objective

South Africa has improved its strategic, regulatory and technical requirements for building a green hydrogen economy.

Approach

The project supports its South African partners across government, industry, academia, and civil society in the following areas:

• It advises on the necessary framework conditions and strategies to accelerate the development and marketing of green hydrogen products.
• It builds up skills within governmental structures, the private industry, and research institutions. It promotes innovative technical solutions and pilot projects, focusing not only on producing green hydrogen but also on its use across industries. Training measures further equip responsible actors in selected institutions with the expertise to better assess opportunities and limitations, both technically and economically.
• It supports project developers in successfully designing eco-friendly projects and securing appropriate financing offered by development financing institutions.
• In addition, the project promotes the development of criteria and processes to ensure that hydrogen production and associated solar and wind power plants are built in an environmentally and socially acceptable manner.

Last update: December 2024