South African-based integrated energy and chemical company Sasol, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japanese energy firm, ITOCHU Corporation, that will see both parties conduct green hydrogen research and development in South Africa.
Under the terms of the MoU, the two parties will jointly study and develop the green hydrogen market and supply chain, with specific focus placed on production, storage and transportation technologies as well as green hydrogen’s role as bunkering fuel and for power generation.
The project will be conducted in multiple phases, the first of which will focus on the development and use of green ammonia to decarbonize South Africa’s power generation sector and manufacturing industries.
Signed in the presence of MUFG Bank – which will provide investment support to both Sasol and ITOCHU Corporation – the MoU is set to significantly advance South Africa’s green hydrogen sector.
Sasol Executive Vice President: Energy Business, Priscillah Mabelane, stated that, “Sasol is excited about our collaboration with ITOCHU to unlock South Africa’s significant potential as a large-scale producer of green hydrogen and ammonia. This marks yet another milestone in our ambition to lead the energy transition in South Africa through decarbonization while stimulating industrial development.”
The signing of the MoU represents part of Sasol’s drive to expand South Africa’s green hydrogen industry. Already, the firm is driving a number of green hydrogen developments such as the Boegoebaai green hydrogen study and export/import port infrastructure in the Northern Cape province, launched under efforts to leverage the country’s abundant solar and wind resources for energy security.
With South Africa’s green hydrogen market representing a relatively new industry, Sasol and ITOCHU Corporation’s MoU seeks to will further explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation in pursuit of the rapid development of the burgeoning industry.