Sasol has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Northern Cape Development Agency to lead a feasibility study to explore the potential of Boegoebaai as an export hub for green hydrogen and ammonia.
SASOL has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Northern Cape Development Agency (Nceda) to lead a feasibility study to explore the potential of Boegoebaai as an export hub for green hydrogen and ammonia.
Northern Cape Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism spokesperson Ali Diteme said the study was expected to take 24 months.
He added that Sasol had partnered with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to provide joint funding for the feasibility study.
“The Boegoebaai green hydrogen development has been designated a strategic integrated project (SIP) in the South African national development plan and is located in the Namakwa special economic zone (SEZ). The project’s location and classification as a SIP are key enablers to exploring Boegoebaai’s potential as a global green hydrogen hub,” said Diteme.
The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, during a community consultative session that was held in Alexander Bay, Richtersveld in the Namakwa District on Saturday, indicated that the project could create an ecosystem in the green hydrogen regime.
“It will be a game-changer in this area, our Province, the country and the world. Our focus as the Northern Cape government is to create an enabling environment and position the Province as a key player in this sector. With the natural resources such as land and clear skies at our disposal, we have a competitive advantage to implement this envisaged multibillion-rand project through support from different stakeholders here and abroad,” Volsoo stated.
The executive vice president for energy at Sasol, Priscillah Mabelane, believed the project had the potential to generate sustainable green energy.
“We are very excited to be leading this feasibility study as part of unlocking South Africa’s potential to be a global green hydrogen and green ammonia export player with the potential for sustainable aviation fuels in the future. This will also be anchored by local demand for green hydrogen.”