CEO of the CSIR, Dr Thulani Dlamini;
Executives of the CSIR;
Senior Officials the DSTI;
Representatives from government, academia, industry, and civil society;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am honoured to be speaking to you this afternoon. Let me state the obvious: energy security is critical for our capacity to meet our needs as humanity. Without energy security, not only is our capacity to meet out national goals significantly reduced, the very economic and political stability of our countries is at risk.
The importance of this workshop
This Energy Workshop comes at the most opportune time when we as government are preparing to host the G20 Summit from 22 to 23 November 2025. As you may be aware, we are hosting the G20 for the first time as the African continent.
And it is my view that we need to think creatively about how we can use the opportunities that arise from hosting this prestigious forum to address both our national and continental needs through science.
Guided by our G20 theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, we as government are currently leading various engagements aimed at exploring opportunities, including science, technology and innovation-based opportunities, that could contribute to practical solutions to the issues facing our country, continent and the world.
It is for this reason that we see we believe that the energy-related interventions which are driven by the CSIR, will be critical towards shaping our energy related interventions as the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Related to this, together with the CSIR and other key stakeholders within our NSI, we need to intensify hydrogen and energy-related efforts through the identification of hydrogen and energy-related research, development and innovation opportunities that are aimed at promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.
The DSTI’s energy initiatives
In terms of the current initiatives that are supported by our Department, I am aware and appreciative that the CSIR continues to partner with our Department in supporting the development of low-carbon energy technologies through the Energy Research, Development and Innovation Flagship Programmes.
This is aimed at supporting the diversifying of the energy mix and achieving energy security and access. One such programme is the Energy Storage and Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Flagship Programmes.
To accelerate research, development and innovation work through the Energy Storage Flagship Programme, I am aware that the CSIR is part of the consortium that has formed partnerships with industry to identify areas where its unique research, development and innovation expertise and infrastructure can bridge technological gaps to support the local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.
The Energy Storage Flagship Programme is aimed at the development and deployment of technologies along the Li-ion batteries value chain, from mining to beneficiation with a focus on the development of value added and manganese-based precursor materials, cell and battery manufacturing, testing and validation, recycling and product development towards commercialisation.
This we believe will position South Africa to benefit from the growing demand for Li-ion batteries in the energy storage and electric vehicle markets. Through the HySA Flagship Programme, I am also aware that the CSIR is playing a pivotal role in co-hosting the HySA Infrastructure centre of competence with the North West University.
The CSIR is also part of a consortium forging strategic partnerships in the development and deployment of platinum group metals-based technologies for hydrogen production, storage and distribution.
This will position South Africa to have the potential to sell green hydrogen and green ammonia at globally competitive prices as well as the ability to
create an enabling ecosystem that supports hydrogen innovation.
Expectations from this workshop
As we discuss the energy agenda and in relation to the context of our G20 Presidency, I would like today’s discussions to reflect on how the hydrogen and energy-related research, development and innovation opportunities could contribute to the following critical aspects:
South Africa using its mineral endowment, renewable energy assets, land availability and local industry capabilities to create a self-sufficient hydrogen economy as part of its Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan;
Through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, South Africa rebranding itself as a destination for Sustainable Investment that incorporates environmental, societal and good governance (ESG) principles;
Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion at the core of the transition to a low carbon economy to tackle the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment;
Leveraging the expertise across the National System of Innovation to improve the coordination of the various initiatives aimed at development and deployment of low carbon energy technologies, in line with the relevant policy documents (2019 White Paper, Decadal Plan, Hydrogen Society Roadmap, Platinum Valley Initiative (South Africa’s version of the Hydrogen Valley Corridor), Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, South African Renewable Energy Master Plan, etc.); and
Supporting the development of skills in emerging energy technologies in support of local manufacturing (including the re-skilling and training of current and future workforce).
With these few words, I wish you a productive workshop and look forward to the outcome of your deliberations.
