SOUTH AFRICA AND GERMANY SIGN GREEN HYDROGEN AGREEMENT

On Tuesday 27 June 2023, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity within the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa and Dr. Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Green Hydrogen. The main aim is to further strengthen the partnership between the two nations and to establish a South African-German Hydrogen Task Force within the framework of the South African – German Energy Partnership which is implemented by GIZ.

Through the South African – German Hydrogen Task Force, both countries want to:

• Formalise the bilateral exchange of information and assessments on upscaling green hydrogen in their respective nations;
• Support the establishment of lighthouse projects resulting in recommendations for the political dialogue;
• Facilitate market access and promote trade of green hydrogen and PtX products between South Africa and Germany;
• Promote the creation of a network between government, industry, and research institutes from both countries.

By prioritising green hydrogen as a key driver of decarbonisation efforts, both nations demonstrate their unwavering commitment to combating climate change and creating a more sustainable world. The inaugural meeting of the Green Hydrogen Task Force will take place during the South African Green Hydrogen Summit scheduled for the 16-17 of October in Cape Town.