Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is in Japan this week in a bid to secure financial backing for flagship South African green-hydrogen projects in the Eastern and Northern Cape provinces.
Accompanied by the Premiers of the Northern and Eastern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul and Oscar Mabuyane, Ramokgopa is leading a high-level delegation to showcase projects in Boegoebaai and Coega.
During the visit, Ramokgopa will meet with major financial institutions and trading companies such as Mitsui, IHI, ITOCHU, MHI, and JERA.
Japan has been identified as a key potential export market for green-hydrogen and derivatives, owing to the Asian country’s stated goal of increasing yearly consumption to 20-million tons by 2050 as part of its net-zero vision.
Besides seeking to catalyse finance for flagship projects, the delegation also aims to use the visit to strengthen collaboration with the Japanese authorities to establish certification standards for green hydrogen and to explore policy-backed loans for South Africa’s energy transition.
Discussions will also be held regarding the development of a domestic market for hydrogen through locally produced vehicles.
“Our goal is to leverage Japan’s 2050 net-zero carbon objectives and its Hydrogen Society Promotion Act to position South Africa as a preferred supplier of green hydrogen and ammonia,” Ramokgopa said in a statement. 