Page 9 - AfrElec Week 27 2021

AfrElec HYDROGEN AfrElec

Sasol, IDC team up to develop South

Africa’s green hydrogen potential

SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH Africa’s Sasol revealed on July 5 that it the company viewed green hydrogen as a good
was teaming up with Industrial Development business opportunity. “Green hydrogen provides
Corp. of South Africa (IDC), a government-run an exciting opportunity for the country to create
development finance agency, to encourage new hydrogen ecosystems and become a credi-
investment in green hydrogen production ble exporter of sustainable energy and chemical
capacity. products, such as hydrogen, ammonia and sus-
In a statement, the company explained that it tainable aviation fuel, while increasing much-
had signed a memorandum of co-operation with needed employment opportunities,” she said.
IDC. This document provides for the parties to “Our ambition is to lead and co-create South
“jointly develop and shape an enabling environ- Africa’s hydrogen ecosystems through strate-
ment to advance South Africa’s green hydrogen gic partnerships, leveraging our proprietary
economy,” it reported. technology and integrated value chain. We are
More specifically, Sasol said it intended to delighted to partner with the IDC in jointly pur-
join IDC in “advocating at relevant international suing South Africa’s green hydrogen potential to
fora for policy frameworks to enable a hydro- support a just energy transition and unlock new
gen economy; developing pilot and commer- value chains to ignite the country’s economy.”
cial-scale hydrogen projects to pioneer viable Joanne Bate, the COO of IDC, also expressed
and sustainable solutions; accessing local and optimism. “The development of the hydrogen
international financing options; and pursu- industry is a key enabler in South Africa’s just
ing strategic projects that benefit the country’s transition to a decarbonised future,” she com-
energy transition and economic development mented. “Hydrogen has the potential to decar-
goals.” bonise various industrial sectors. IDC intends on
The statement did not say whether the two getting involved in the development of those cat-
sides would promote any specific initiatives. alytic projects needed to develop this new indus-
However, it touted South Africa’s potential to try. We are looking forward to working together
become a player in the green hydrogen sec- with Sasol in identifying and co-developing such
tor, noting the country’s significant resource catalytic projects. Our involvement in the devel-
endowment with respect to renewable energies opment of the hydrogen industry also provides
and Sasol’s extensive experience with the Fis- opportunities to fulfil our development mandate,
cher-Tropsch gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology. which entails job creation and opportunities to
Priscillah Mabelane, the executive vice-pres- involve previously disadvantaged entities.” ™
ident of Sasol’s energy business division, said

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