South African-based energy company Sakhumnotho Power and energy development company Keren Energy Investment have partnered for a proof of concept (POC) for green hydrogen production in South Africa. The partnership will assess the viability to produce green hydrogen at a site in Vredendal, Western Cape.
Representing the first POC undertaken in the country to assess the feasibility of green hydrogen production using solar, the POC site location already has a 100-kW photovoltaic solar system installed. If successful, the project will enable the generation of clean power, thereby reducing South Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing domestic installed capacity.
Chairman of Sakhumnotho Group Holdings, Professor Sipho Mseleku, noted that, “We are cognisant that oil and gas are not going to be the only fuel sources in the future. We understand that we have to invest in a portfolio of power sources which will include oil and gas, renewable energy, as well as hydrogen in order to innovate and grow our investment portfolio into the future.”
Coal is currently the predominant energy source in South Africa. Now, with the POC undertaken, green hydrogen could emerge as both a competitive and increasingly important energy source in the southern African country.
