The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) will on Friday, 18 March 2022 brief Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation on the country's hydrogen economy plans.

Parliamentarians will experience first-hand the kind of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) powered products that have been developed as part of the research and development (R&D) being conducted at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Bellville, Cape Town. Golf carts, a tricycle, a scooter and a fuel cell component manufacturing line will be on display.

Other products that have been developed at UWC include a pioneering HFC-powered forklift and hydrogen refueling station, and a generator system that has been installed at the UWC Nature Reserve.

South Africa has been exploring the use of hydrogen as an alternative source of clean energy since 2008 through the DSI's Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme.

Last month, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation launched the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, which provides a framework for developing and integrating hydrogen-related technologies across various sectors of the South African economy.

The media are invited as follows:

DATE:            Friday, 18 March 2022

TIME:             09:30 – 12:00

VENUE          South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC),

                       University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Rd, Bellville

NB: COVID-19 vaccination certificates will be requested at the UWC entrance.

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation

For media enquiries, contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750 or veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za or Jabulani Majozi at 066 302 0623 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.