South African technologies showcased at European Hydrogen Week
South Africa is promoting its hydrogen technologies abroad extensively. Its latest foray was to Brussels for the European Union (EU) Hydrogen Week from 20 to 24 November 2023. Green hydrogen is a clean and sustainable energy source.
The hydrogen economy is a government priority because it could contribute as much as 3,6% of South Africa's GDP by 2050 and create over 370 000 jobs. It also has the potential to reduce 10 to 15% of domestic emissions while helping to ensure long-term energy security, and is therefore vital for South Africa's just energy transition.
EU Hydrogen Week was organised by Hydrogen Europe, an association representing the continent's hydrogen industry, and Clean Hydrogen Partnerships, a joint undertaking intended to contribute to the EU Green Deal and Hydrogen Strategy through funding for research and innovation activities in hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen Week is aimed at increasing awareness of and collaboration in the field of hydrogen energy, and providing an opportunity for participants to explore the latest developments, technologies and applications related to hydrogen.
The event was a valuable platform for promoting South Africa as a hydrogen partner, in line with the Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa and other national plans and priorities pertaining to energy, industry and decarbonisation. Engagements at EU Hydrogen Week aimed to increase investor confidence, support the scale-up of hydrogen initiatives, and identify international finance programmes and alliances that could help grow the hydrogen economy. Collaborations are also needed to assist in the identification of the skills required for a hydrogen workforce and the development of a plan to build these skills. Hydrogen initiatives must recognise gender equality and social inclusion objectives.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, led the South African delegation, which included representatives of government, industry, academia and non-governmental organisations.
Addressing the opening ceremony on 20 November, Dr Blade Nzimande, stated that South Africa had committed to ambitious emission reduction targets while taking into account the country's transitional energy mix.
"Our country began its hydrogen journey in 2007 with the publication of the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Research, Development, and Innovation Strategy, which was intended to help us begin to develop a globally competitive, inclusive, low-carbon economy using our rich endowment of platinum group metals to stimulate job creation and new industries," Minister Nzimande told his listeners.
His speech also mentioned that chemicals and energy giant Sasol was investigating the use of green hydrogen instead of grey hydrogen in the production of sustainable aviation fuels and other products.
The Minister referred to the Platinum Valley Initiative (South Africa's version of a hydrogen valley), which is one of the catalytic projects that had been identified to drive the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap. The initiative focuses on hydrogen production, establishing local manufacturing capabilities, developing human capital and supporting a just energy transition through the decarbonisation of various industrial and transport sectors. It is expected to lead to large infrastructure development and facilitate large-scale hydrogen trade linked to the country's ports.
South African experts participated in strategic sessions during the week. The country's hydrogen-based products, technologies and players along the value chain were profiled at the exhibition, and workshops on green hydrogen research and skills development collaborations were convened on the sidelines of the event. The skills workshop involved the Department of Higher Education and Training.
A round-table discussion between South Africa and Belgium to identify possible areas for collaboration was held, and Hydrogen Europe and the Belgian government took the South African delegation on site visits to hydrogen-related facilities and projects to gain practical insights into real-world applications.
South Africa will continue to participate in similar events globally, as part of a series of Science Diplomacy for Economic Development through Hydrogen workshops, which have so far been held with Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. Science Diplomacy for Economic Development through Hydrogen – an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation and the Presidency's infrastructure office – seeks to support both the Hydrogen Society Roadmap and the draft Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy for South Africa through a series of local and international workshops and follow-up engagements.
