9 new mega-projects coming to South Africa

Supplied by BusinessTech

Minister of public works and infrastructure Patricia de Lille has gazetted the registration of nine infrastructure projects in the country with Infrastructure South Africa

According to De Lille, under the SIPs, the Just Energy Transition, Green Hyrdorgen National Plan and the Oil & Gas National Program will be fast-tracked

South Africa has been deemed a hotspot for green hydrogen. Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) has reported that it amassed a total of R300 billion for funding green hydrogen projects alone

The gazette served to amend the country’s Strategic Integrate Projects (SIPs), specifically those affecting the energy sector.

According to De Lille, under the SIPs, the Just Energy Transition, Green Hydrogen National Plan and the Oil & Gas National Program will be fast-tracked.

With these projects being designated as Strategic Integration Projects (SIPS), the procurement process, as well as administration of the projects, is sped up by the government.

In a previous media statement, De Lille said: “This means that all processes relating to the implementation of SIPs, including processes relating to any application for any approval, authorisation, licence, permission or exemption and processes relating to any consultation and participation now run concurrently instead of the usual process which is sequential.”

The publication of the latest gazette marks the beginning of projects specific to the country’s energy sector, including those in the green hydrogen field.

De Lille listed the following projects that will be fast-tracked through SIPs:

• The Prieska Power Reserve in the Northern Cape
• The Ubuntu Green Energy Hydrogen Project in Northern Cape
• Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Development Programme in the Northern Cape
• Atlanthia Green Hydrogen in the Western Cape
• Upilanga Solar and Green Hydrogen Park in the Northern Cape
• Sasolburg Green Hydrogen Programme in the Free State
• SASOL HySHiFT (Secunda) in Mpumalanga
• HIVE Ammonia in the Eastern Cape
• Hydrogen Valley Programme of Anglo-American and their JV Partners

She noted that the following projects are still waiting for final information before registration with ISA can proceed:

• Mainstream Renewable Energy Hydrogen in the Western Cape
• AMSA Saldanha Steel Hydrogen project in the Western Cape
• Enertrag Postmasburg Project. (Ammonia) in the Northern Cape
• HDF Energy Renewable Energy, IPM 1 in Mpumalanga
• Enertrag Indigen Project (e-methanol) in the Eastern Cape
• Isondo Fuel Cell MEAs Manufacturing in Gauteng
• Isondo / NCP Vehicles in Gauteng
• Saldanha Bay Green Hydrogen Project
• Project Phoenix Fuel Cell Manufacturing in Free State
• Cape Stack in the Western Cape
• Bambili Hyplat Fuel Cell Manufacturing

South Africa has been deemed a hotspot for green hydrogen. Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) has reported that it amassed a total of R300 billion for funding green hydrogen projects alone.

De Lille said that despite such a large portion of available funding, more needs to be done for future projects to reach their end.

Speaking at the country’s first Green Hydrogen Summit late last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa is determined to become a world leader in green hydrogen.

“South Africa has many inherent advantages that make it internationally competitive in the production of green hydrogen, said Ramaphosa. “These include a world-class endowment of both onshore wind and solar irradiation.”

According to Ramaphosa, 2.4 million tons of grey hydrogen is already manufactured domestically and used for consumption. He added that projects such as renewable energy ones present a unique opportunity for the country to drive industrialisation.

South Africa is a must-have destination for foreign green energy investment, said Ramaphosa.

Some critics of the government’s plans have urged caution, however, warning that green hydrogen is not the silver bullet or energy panacea that many – including the South African government – are making it out to be.