Harnessing Green Hydrogen: South Africa's Path to Energy Independence
Key Ideas
- South Africa is strategically investing in green hydrogen technologies to reduce coal dependence and transition to a low-carbon economy.
- The country's abundance of platinum and iridium resources provides a competitive advantage for developing a sustainable hydrogen value chain.
- Various policy instruments, programs, and research efforts are dedicated to the advancement of green hydrogen technologies in South Africa.
- Recommendations include building capacity to institutionalize technology assessment for informed decision-making in the energy sector.
The UNCTAD project on Technology Assessment in the Energy and Agricultural Sectors in Africa has made significant strides in collaboration with South Africa, Seychelles, and Zambia. South Africa, with its rich platinum and iridium resources, is focusing on green hydrogen technologies to combat its reliance on coal and transition to a low-carbon economy. Key policy initiatives aim to diversify energy sources, address energy scarcity, and position the country as an exporter of hydrogen. The development of electrolyser technologies is a pivotal step in harnessing clean energy production. Academic and non-academic studies are contributing to the growing body of knowledge on building a green hydrogen economy in the country. The report outlines policy frameworks, programmatic initiatives, and the socioeconomic impacts of electrolyser technology. Methodologies such as surveys and interviews were employed to gather data for the project, which culminated in policy recommendations and an action plan for utilizing technology assessment in decision-making processes. The emphasis is on capacity-building to integrate technology assessment into national policies effectively.
Topics
Production
Energy Security
Innovation
Green Economy
Sustainable Development
Policy Frameworks
Electrolyser Technology
Technology Assessment
Platinum Resources
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