The first phase of the West Coast Green Hydrogen Master Plan, in support of the establishment of the Saldanha Hydrogen Hub, has been confirmed and will be coordinated by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The CSIR was appointed in June by Freeport Saldanha, or the Saldanha Special Economic Zone (SEZ), to coordinate this project planning.

The initiative has the full support of the Western Cape government and aligns with Freeport Saldanha’s vision to “catalyse Africa’s green hydrogen future” as an SEZ strategically positioned for export-led industrialisation.

“The proposed Saldanha Hydrogen Hub is a flagship initiative under the Western Cape government Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap that was approved in May 2024,” says CSIR research group leader Paul Lochner.

The hub is expected to leverage Saldanha Bay’s strategic location; its access to renewable-energy resources, such as wind and solar; its potential for midstream hydrogen processing; and its strong import-export capabilities, underpinned by significant port infrastructure.

“The port provides access to international shipping routes and export and/or supply of green maritime fuels based on derivatives of hydrogen,” he adds.

One of Three

Phase 1 is largely a scoping study – focused on bringing together key stakeholders to identify opportunities, constraints and priority actions – to inform more detailed technical studies, planning and institutional capacitation in Phase 2 and Phase 3.

The first phase will bring together government, industry and research partners to critically examine infrastructure planning, policies, regulations and environmental sustainability through meaningful stakeholder engagement, in the context of the hydrogen sector’s rapid development and evolving landscape.

“Core components of Phase 1 include land use planning, infrastructure optimisation and expansion analyses, energy and environmental legal reviews, and a strategic environmental analysis to identify environmental sensitivities, potential impacts and sustainability considerations for the proposed hub,” Lochner explains.

These areas of research are structured into three main workstreams that are underpinned by collaborative stakeholder engagement, with emphasis on co-production to ensure transparency and to help build a shared foundation for the green hydrogen economy in the region.

“The outcomes of this phase will comprise the technical evidence and development scenarios required to guide decision-making, de-risk investment and shape the direction of future phases,” he points out.

The strategic framework is rigorously aligned with South Africa’s hydrogen society roadmap, just energy transition (JET) objectives and relevant provincial planning frameworks.

Lochner points out that the green hydrogen production scenarios underpinning the master plan are informed by the targets and allocation frameworks outlined in the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy of South Africa.

Why West Coast?

Lochner says the West Coast region boasts abundant renewable-energy resources, the deepest natural port in the southern hemisphere and the strategically designated Freeport Saldanha, which aims to stimulate targeted economic growth and export activity.

“Transparent collaboration is emphasised throughout Phase 1, reflecting the JET principles and the Western Cape’s commitment to inclusive governance and risk management,” he says.

Importantly, the goal of helping to facilitate green hydrogen and maritime transport projects, supports, in turn, the region’s broader infrastructure, mobility goals and sectoral growth priorities.

The West Coast Green Hydrogen Master Plan’s environmental sustainability workstream advances the Western Cape’s sustainability while bolstering South Africa’s climate resilience targets.

Through this initiative, Freeport Saldanha and the CSIR are helping to position South Africa, and the continent, as a competitive player in the global green hydrogen economy.

“The partnership is advancing practical enablers, such as investor readiness, land security and infrastructure coordination, that are critical for large-scale green hydrogen deployment,” concludes Lochner.