Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has showcased South Africa’s progress in moving green hydrogen projects from policy ambition towards large-scale energy production during her visit to Japan.
Dr Gina is representing South Africa at the Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, hosted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization in Chiba.
Held in collaboration with the International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo, one of the world's largest hydrogen-related exhibitions, the meeting seeks to accelerate international cooperation and market development, while strengthening alignment between policy and business in support of a hydrogen-based society.
Reiterating President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2019 address to the nation, the Deputy Minister said: “We must increase the contribution of renewable and clean energy to our national energy mix and explore the potential of the hydrogen economy”.
President Ramaphosa also called on the hydrogen sector at the 2025 Africa Green Hydrogen Summit to move “from PowerPoint to gigawatts”.
Dr Gina said this affirmed government's commitment to making tangible progress in the country's energy transition.
Advancing hydrogen mobility
Dr Gina told the gathering that South Africa was leading by example, with evidence that the just energy transition was underway in the country.
She highlighted the recently launched Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station, which will support efforts to decarbonise the transport sector.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), North-West University (NWU) and Toyota South Africa Motors.
“This milestone represents a notable advancement in hydrogen mobility in South Africa and underscores progress towards establishing an integrated hydrogen value chain,” the Deputy Minister said.
Through another partnership with NWU and African Rainbow Minerals, a Rapid Prototype Training and Testing Facility has also been established to speed up the development and scaling of water electrolysis technologies from laboratory stage to pilot and industrial applications.
Together with Sasol Limited, the DSTI and NWU have developed a 2kW Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyser System, which is currently being tested at one of Sasol's research laboratories in Sasolburg.
“This research will provide Sasol with confidence in the locally produced technology and enable Sasol to develop the skills that it needs to contribute to the country's hydrogen economy agenda,” Dr Gina said.
Building partnerships
The Deputy Minister emphasised the need for collaboration in the sector, saying South Africa's renewable energy and hydrogen ambitions required strong partnerships between governments, industry, research institutions, development finance institutions and international partners.
“By working together, we can build competitive regional industries, create quality jobs, strengthen economic resilience, build resilient industrial economies and secure meaningful places in global green value chains,” she said.
The meeting heard how, at a pivotal moment for energy, hydrogen was receiving renewed attention for its ability to help address some of the biggest problems facing economies today, including energy security, food system resilience, industrial growth and deep decarbonisation.
Dr Gina called on delegates to use the ministerial meeting to pool resources and expertise, build resilient regional value chains, unlock industrialisation and create sustainable prosperity.
According to the Hydrogen Council's Global Hydrogen Compass 2026, committed investment in clean hydrogen has reached $130 billion across more than 570 projects worldwide, representing 6.9 million tonnes per annum in committed capacity.
While in Japan, the Deputy Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Komori Takuo.
She is also scheduled to attend further bilateral meetings to advance cooperation on energy policy, hydrogen technologies, the clean energy transition and health research and innovation. – SAnews.gov.za
