South Africa Could Produce Up to 13 Million Tons of Green Hydrogen by 2050, Says Zikalala
Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala announced that South Africa has the potential to produce between 6 and 13 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2050. Speaking at the Green Hydrogen Devac Conference in Sandton, Zikalala highlighted the significant progress of the Green Hydrogen National Programme (GHNP), which has attracted over R800 billion in project investments since the gazetting of nine Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) by Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) in 2022.
Zikalala noted that about 20% of these investments have already reached the bankable feasibility stage. Key initiatives under the programme include the Isondo Precious Metals fuel cell and electrolyser component manufacturing facility in Gauteng, the Prieska Energy Cluster Green Ammonia Production facility in the Northern Cape, and the Hive Green Ammonia export project in the Eastern Cape.
Additional projects encompass the Boegoes Bay Green Hydrogen Port Rail and Infrastructure Project in the Northern Cape, the ArcelorMittal Saldanha Green Steel Project in the Western Cape, and a 60MW hydrogen production facility in Sasolburg, Gauteng.
Zikalala emphasized that only 1% of South Africa's land is needed to support green hydrogen initiatives, with an additional 5.2 million hectares available in the Renewable Energy Development Zones. He praised ISA's role as a key enabler, fast-tracking approvals and authorizations for GHNP projects through its SIP designation.
The deputy minister called on industry leaders to collaborate with the government to localize manufacturing in the green hydrogen value chain. He highlighted the substantial investment opportunities that remain in sectors such as green shipping, green fertilizer production, electrolyser manufacturing, and green port developments.
"The seventh administration has identified three priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state," Zikalala said, urging further collaboration to make South Africa a leader in the green hydrogen economy.
Zikalala noted that about 20% of these investments have already reached the bankable feasibility stage. Key initiatives under the programme include the Isondo Precious Metals fuel cell and electrolyser component manufacturing facility in Gauteng, the Prieska Energy Cluster Green Ammonia Production facility in the Northern Cape, and the Hive Green Ammonia export project in the Eastern Cape.
Additional projects encompass the Boegoes Bay Green Hydrogen Port Rail and Infrastructure Project in the Northern Cape, the ArcelorMittal Saldanha Green Steel Project in the Western Cape, and a 60MW hydrogen production facility in Sasolburg, Gauteng.
Zikalala emphasized that only 1% of South Africa's land is needed to support green hydrogen initiatives, with an additional 5.2 million hectares available in the Renewable Energy Development Zones. He praised ISA's role as a key enabler, fast-tracking approvals and authorizations for GHNP projects through its SIP designation.
The deputy minister called on industry leaders to collaborate with the government to localize manufacturing in the green hydrogen value chain. He highlighted the substantial investment opportunities that remain in sectors such as green shipping, green fertilizer production, electrolyser manufacturing, and green port developments.
"The seventh administration has identified three priorities: driving inclusive growth and job creation; reducing poverty; and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state," Zikalala said, urging further collaboration to make South Africa a leader in the green hydrogen economy.
