Message by the Republic of South Africa Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande on the occasion of the 6th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting
Ministers, Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to be speaking to you again on the occasion of the 6th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting.
South Africa, through my Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) took over as Chair of the IPHE on 1 December 2022.
We are indeed honoured to be serving as the IPHE Chair for the next two years. During our tenure as IPHE Chair, South Africa intends to continue with the great work done by the IPHE, but focusing also on promoting the development of the hydrogen economy across the African continent and partnering to promote gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) within the hydrogen economy.
We remain committed to global cooperation on large scale production and utilisation of hydrogen.
South Africa sees the hydrogen economy as an opportunity to use science, technology and innovation to reindustrialise whilst reducing the carbon intensity within the economy, leveraging on our abundant mineral and natural resources such as solar and wind.
Since participating in the HEMM in 2021, our Cabinet approved the National Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM). The HSRM is South Africa’s overarching policy document that articulates the country’s aspirations in developing a local hydrogen economy that is globally competitive.
The HSRM has clear targets and key actions to achieve them in the short-term (2021 to 2024), medium-term (2025 to 2030) and long-term (2030 to 2040). The following six outcomes are part of our goals:
The decarbonisation of transport sectors, such as heavy-duty vehicles, shipping, aviation and rail;
- The decarbonisation of energy intensive industry, such as iron & steel, chemicals, mining, refineries, cement;
- The creation of an export market for green Hydrogen and ammonia;
- Green and enhanced power with a focus on buildings;
- Creation of a manufacturing sector for hydrogen products and components; and
- A responsible and phased transition from grey to blue to green hydrogen.
The Platinum Valley Initiative (PVI), which is South African version of the Hydrogen Valley, is one of the identified catalytic projects.
The PVI focuses on hydrogen production, establishment of local manufacturing capabilities, human resources development and support for a just energy transition through decarbonisation of various industrial and transport sectors. The PVI is also expected to catalyse large infrastructure development and facilitate large-scale hydrogen trade and to stimulate a local hydrogen economy.
To support the implementation of the HSRM, the South African Government continues to achieve the above objectives explore local and international and promote the local manufacturing of locally developed intellectual property (IP) and the integration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in various sectors of the economy:
- A South African delegation participated at the International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo 2023 here in Tokyo in March 2023.
- A South Africa-Japan Workshop will be held tomorrow at Bellesalle Hanzomon to discuss collaboration on the hydrogen economy. A total of 34 representatives from 25 South African companies and institutions will be in attendance.
Through the workshop, the South African Government would like to promote commercialisation and sustainable manufacturing in South Africa through:
Going forward, the South African Government would like to work with other stakeholders on:
- Creating an enabling ecosystem that supports hydrogen innovation and skills development.
- Building stronger partnerships between government, private sector and civil society in an effort to create an enabling policy environment for the effective implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap.
With those words, I would like to thank you for your attention.
