Ramaphosa launches first wave of Green Hydrogen projects
Ramaphosa unveiled six priority projects and urging partners to move swiftly from ideas to gigawatts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa inaugurated Africa's first wave of Green Hydrogen projects, positioning the sector as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for energy security, decarbonisation and inclusive growth. The African Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town witnessed the unveiling of six priority projects during Ramaphosa's address to delegates. These projects, part of South Africa's national green hydrogen programme, aim to forge a new industrial future for the continent.
Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, as Dr Ramaphosa's deputy, presented the president's remarks on his behalf. The six projects include the Phelan Green Group's $100 million electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel project in Saldanha Bay, set to commence construction early 2027 and export by 2029. Other initiatives are the Coega Green Ammonia Project, the Saldanha Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron Project, the Prieska Power Reserve, the Green Methanol Corridor, and the Green Hydrogen Solutions Project for domestic supply.
Ramaphosa emphasized Africa's pivotal role in the value chain, urging technology partners to build local manufacturing and research capacity, and African development finance institutions to step up. "We need instruments suited to the risks of these first-of-a-kind projects," he stressed. "Prospective buyers must convert interest into credible long-term offtake agreements."
The President's call for Africa to take ownership, manufacture and participate in the green hydrogen economy comes as nations worldwide seek to harness the sector for sustainable development and energy security.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
