In this opinion article, Royal HaskoningDHV advisory group for energy transition director Gladys Nabagala writes that South Africa has significant potential to stimulate its economy by building a hydrogen export economy.
As South Africa grapples with ongoing blackouts because power utility Eskom's power station fleet cannot cope with demand or upkeep maintenance, the country is also faced by global pressures to reduce its carbon footprint and embrace renewable energy resources.
This pressure has come with the offer of help, though, with the country securing R131-billion in funding offers at the recent COP26 event to transition towards green energy.
However, even with the recent raising of the threshold for distributed generation to 100 MW, it’s going to take time for projects of any meaningful scale to be commissioned and relieve pressure from the national grid.
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As South Africa grapples with ongoing blackouts because power utility Eskom's power station fleet cannot cope with demand or upkeep maintenance, the country is also faced by global pressures to reduce its carbon footprint and embrace renewable energy resources.
This pressure has come with the offer of help, though, with the country securing R131-billion in funding offers at the recent COP26 event to transition towards green energy.
However, even with the recent raising of the threshold for distributed generation to 100 MW, it’s going to take time for projects of any meaningful scale to be commissioned and relieve pressure from the national grid.
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In addition to solar and wind energy resources, which South Africa has in abundance, discussions have emerged around hydrogen – particularly green hydrogen – and what this could mean for South Africa’s carbon footprint, and its economy.
South Africa is one of the best positioned countries in the world to produce emissions-free green hydrogen, in which renewable energy is used to power the water electrolysis process through which hydrogen is harvested. This is thanks to the country’s extensive solar and wind resources, and the fact that we have a long coastline with access to water that could be used in the process. These factors position South Africa well to supply countries seeking green hydrogen, but that don’t have the natural and renewable resources to produce them, such as Japan and countries in the European Union.
Read more........
South Africa is one of the best positioned countries in the world to produce emissions-free green hydrogen, in which renewable energy is used to power the water electrolysis process through which hydrogen is harvested. This is thanks to the country’s extensive solar and wind resources, and the fact that we have a long coastline with access to water that could be used in the process. These factors position South Africa well to supply countries seeking green hydrogen, but that don’t have the natural and renewable resources to produce them, such as Japan and countries in the European Union.
Read more........
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