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AfrElec RENEWABLES AfrElec

SSC Group to build 117MW wind and

hydrgoen project in Eastern Cape

SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH African diversified minerals and the world, including the Lüderitz project in
investment group Siyakhula Sonke Empower- Namibia as reported by bne Intellinews.
ment Corporation (SSC Group) is conducting According to SSC Energy head Andries van
a pre-feasibility study and finalising an environ- der Linde, developments towards the produc-
mental risk assessment on a 117 MW wind farm tion of green hydrogen are taking place all over
project in the Eastern Cape. the world, especially since it helps to meet energy
The wind farm will power a 69MW electrol- demand and contribute to climate action goals.
ysis production plant in Jeffreys Bay, Engineer- Van der Linde warns that the process of split-
ing News reports, with the plant having a green ting molecules, as is the case with hydrogen pro-
hydrogen production capacity of about 9.8 duction, can be extremely energy intensive and
tonnes per year (t/y). often inefficient, with the eventual energy output
SSC, through its SSC Energy division, has from a hydrogen-driven device being as low as
secured LNG Hub as an offtake and logistics 8% of the initial renewable energy source.
partner. Established in 2021 in South Africa, The SSC Energy team, however, has been
LNG Hub is specialising in sourcing, distribut- developing innovative engineering solutions to
ing and supplying small-scale LNG, according achieve a better energy balance, while taking its
to the report. project’s coexistence with nature into considera-
The collaboration with SSC will make LNG tion, he explains.
Hub’s hydrogen arm, H2 Hub, the first hydro- SSC will establish an information centre on
gen gas trading company in South Africa, par- the same property as its other project (Project
ticularly green hydrogen. SSC says its green Rhino) where visitors can learn about environ-
hydrogen pricing will be competitive with bulk mental issues and particularly the extinction of
liquified natural gas (LNG) delivered prices. rhinos owing to poaching for the illegal horn
SSC expects to start with more permitting trade, writes Engineering News.
processes early in 2023, the group chief finan- The group believes more attention can be
cial officer Martin Schermers told Engineering brought to these important environmental issues
News. He envisions construction and commis- by combining a renewable energy project with
sioning to be completed within 12 months after the Kouga Rhino Sanctuary.
all required permits are received, with hydrogen With this approach, the group aims to have a
production starting by January 2025. wider post-construction impact than is normally
The project marks the first of several renew- the case, which would also include additional
able energy projects that SSC Energy intends to economic benefits of green hydrogen produc-
embark on, writes Engineering News. Although tion, according to the report.™
the overall project could be a first of its kind in
South Africa, it joins 10 other projects across

P16 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 49 07•December•2022