Address by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr BE Nzimande, on the occasion of the 39th International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy Ministerial Gala Dinner Event
Programme Director: Dr Mlungisi Cele, Acting Head: National Advisory Council on Innovation;
Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the Department of Science and Innovation;
Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training;
Mr. Jacob Mbele, Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy;
Dr Rebecca Maserumule, Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE);
Mr. Laurent Antoni, Executive Director of the IPHE;
Mr. Tim Karlsson, Senior Advisor of the IPHE Secretariat;
All delegates from the following IPHE member countries;
All CEOs and senior executives from both government and the private sector companies;
Distinguished guests;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen:
It gives me great pleasure to speak to you on this very important occasion, which is part of the 39th IPHE Steering Committee meeting and related events, being hosted here in Pretoria.
Today's event is particularly special to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation as South Africa hosts the first IPHE Steering Committee meeting since taking over as Chair of the IPHE in December 2022.
Today is also important in that South Africa is hosting the IPHE Steering Committee meeting for the third time since its formation in 2003.
This speaks to the trust that the IPHE Steering Committee has in South Africa’s ability to host successful meetings as well as a recognition of the country’s contribution to the growth of the global Hydrogen Economy.
In this regard, I would like to congratulate the IPHE for creating a platform that encourages countries to share information and experiences on hydrogen and fuel cell related developments in their respective countries.
We are therefore excited as the Ministry and as a country to have this honour of hosting the 39th IPHE steering committee in South Africa as well as chairing the IPHE for the next two years.
Just like many global economies, the South African economy has not been immune to the devastating effects associated with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to increased unemployment and poverty in many households and communities.
Our government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa developed and adopted the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), aimed at combating the negative economic impact of COVID-19 and stimulating equitable and inclusive growth within the South African Economy. The Economic Recovery Plan recognises the role that the Hydrogen Economy could play in the Country’s reindustrialisation.
Our government has since been investing in the development and application of scientific knowledge domains that we see as critical for advancing our national development and global competitiveness.
In 2007, our South African Cabinet approved the Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Strategy to initiate the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies through the 15-year HySA Programme. Thirteen years later, hydrogen fuel cells were used to provide primary power for field hospitals set up for COVID-19 patients during the various waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our government will therefore continue to mobilise resources across the public and private sectors to support continued research and innovation to facilitate the large-scale deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, as well as other low carbon technologies to provide an innovative solution to the country’s energy challenge and to drive economies of scale.
Ladies and gentlemen, the approval of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap and the extension of the HySA Programme for another 10 years by Cabinet is a clear demonstration of the South African government’s commitment to the Hydrogen Economy.
In support of the implementation of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, a number of catalytic projects aimed at stimulating the domestic demand for hydrogen have been identified. Examples include:
- The Platinum Valley Initiative, which includes the decarbonisation of transport through the conversion of heavy-duty trucks from diesel to hydrogen fuel cell power. The trucks travel along the economic corridor from Limpopo, passing through Pretoria and Johannesburg to the port city of Durban. The recently launched Hydrogen truck that you will see at the Mogalakwena Mine in Limpopo is part of the Platinum Valley Initiative.
- The CoalCO2 to X project, which focuses on decarbonisation of the energy intensive industry such as steel, cement and power production by capturing flue gas from coal-fired boilers and using hydrogen to convert the flue gas components into value added products such as fertiliser salts and sulphuric acid. The project provides a good interface between the existing economy, which is largely fossil fuel based, and the incoming low carbon economy in which hydrogen plays a very prominent role. The intent is to reduce the carbon intensity in our economy while addressing the issues of a just transition and stimulating the domestic demand for hydrogen. To date, the technology has been successfully demonstrated at a cement factory in Limpopo Province.
- Hydrogen has also been identified as a key ingredient in the production of low carbon steel. In this regard, one of our catalytic projects aims at using green hydrogen to resuscitate a mothballed steel factory in Saldanha Bay near Cape Town.
It is worth highlighting that the HySA Programme was put in place to convert South Africa’s comparative advantage of possessing seventy five percent (75%) of the PGM global reserves into a competitive advantage through the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
I am happy to report that through the HySA Programme, a portfolio of products that includes platinum-based catalysts, membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and services have been developed, some of which have already been tested and integrated into commercial products in partnership with global fuel cell original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This is a critical step to creating a manufacturing hub for fuel cells in South Africa, in line with the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
As the market demand for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies increases across sectors of the economy, there will be an increasing need for trained and experienced personnel and accompanying services such as qualified maintenance technicians, installers, and manufacturing professionals.
I am glad that yesterday’s IPHE Education and Outreach Day held at the CSIR focused on discussions on innovation and skills in the hydrogen economy. This will begin to assist the South African Government on how to adopt an effective approach and policy framework that will create an enabling ecosystem that supports hydrogen innovation as well as relevant skills to support the Hydrogen Economy.
For South Africa’s Hydrogen Economy transition to be successful, there is a clear understanding and acceptance across the Government that it should be supported by integrated policies and supportive legislation.
Government has also developed the following policy frameworks that are linked to the Hydrogen Society Roadmap:
- The Green Transport Strategy;
- Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy;
- The Just Energy Transition Framework; and
- South African Renewable Energy Masterplan.
In conclusion, South Africa is committed to continue its participation in relevant global and regional forums that seek to promote the use of hydrogen and fuel cells and other cleaner forms of energy.
As South Africa, we will continue with our active participation as a member of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy as well as other multilateral forums such as the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you successful deliberations during the rest of the week.
I thank you.
Bon Appetit!
