SOUTH AFRICA
GREEN HYDROGEN
Resources
Publications
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| Link | Name of publication | Description | Publication Date | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Gender Sensitivity Training Manual | The Gender Manual offers practical knowledge and tools including check-lists to promote the practice of gender-sensitive training or event facilitation. Applying this manual will assist moderators and facilitators of events to ensure that more representative perspectives and needs are drawn out, recognised and addressed from their audience, regardless of gender. With this approach differences in experiences and perspectives of women and men are recognised helping to ensure more complete solutions. | January 2025 | International PtX Hub & H2.SA |
 | Life Cycle Assessment of Green Ammonia | This study assesses the environmental impacts of producing green ammonia (GNH3) at a coastal facility in South Africa and using it for heavy-duty transport in Germany. It evaluates the cradle-to-production gate (production process) and cradle-to-grave (full lifecycle including transport, cracking, and end-use) impacts using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods. Key findings highlight that green ammonia significantly reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to grey and black ammonia, making it a viable low-carbon fuel alternative. However, challenges include energy-intensive processes, transportation emissions, and environmental trade-offs in other impact categories like water consumption and ecotoxicity. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) |
 | Pre-feasibility study on lighthouse technology Methanol | The Pre-Feasibility Study on Lighthouse Technology Methanol (GMeOH) evaluates the technical, financial, and environmental feasibility of producing green methanol in South Africa. Motivated by the country’s abundant renewable energy resources and strategic location for global export, the study explores South Africa’s potential as a leader in green methanol production. It provides a comprehensive framework for early-stage GMeOH projects, addressing challenges and offering practical guidance on technical design, market analysis, and financial modeling. The study aims to support informed decision-making, promote sustainability, and enhance investment confidence in green methanol projects, contributing to the growth of South Africa’s Power-to- X (PtX) economy. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | H2/PtX Projects in South Africa: A preliminary review of the Environmental and Social impacts | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH | |
 | Community Development Toolkit | The Green Hydrogen Community Development Toolkit is a practical guide for fostering meaningful community engagement in South Africa’s green hydrogen sector. Developed with contributions from organizations like H2.SA, it offers step-by-step tools for stakeholder engagement, social impact assessments, and alignment with local governance. The toolkit addresses the sector’s rapid growth and aligns with the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, ensuring that projects contribute to job creation, local development, and environmental benefits while securing a “social license to operate.” It aims to mitigate community opposition, foster trust, and support the sector’s sustainable and inclusive growth. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Technical Factsheet - Critical Raw Materials | To conduct an assessment including actionable insights and recommendations for the mining industry, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure promotion of sustainable sourcing and utilization of critical minerals in the South African green hydrogen sector. | October 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Employment and Labour Market Analysis (ELMA) in South Africa | This report determines the key challenges to matching supply and demand in the South African labour market related to a sustainable and socially just energy transition. Its goal is to determine which interventions could support the sector’s job creation. | October 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Green Hydrogen Investment Profiles for South African Industrial Development and Special Economic Zones | The "Green Hydrogen Investment Profiles for South African Industrial Development and Special Economic Zones" study, published in August 2024, explores South Africa’s potential as a global leader in green hydrogen production and exports, particularly within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) like Coega, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay, and Boegoebaai. Developed by the CSIR in collaboration with GIZ South Africa and funded by the BMZ’s H2.SA program, the study assesses economic activities, infrastructure, investment potential, and regulatory challenges. It highlights South Africa’s strategic advantages, including abundant renewable energy and strong export potential to key markets like the EU, Japan, and South Korea, while also addressing policy gaps, infrastructure needs, and global competition. A key focus is on meeting international certification standards (such as the EU’s CBAM) to ensure market access, alongside recommendations for investment, policy reforms, and skills development to position South Africa as a competitive player in the global green hydrogen economy. | August 2024 | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
 | Managing the Impacts of a Green Hydrogen/Power-to-X Economy: An Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline for South Africa | This study addresses South Africa’s gap in managing the environmental and social impacts of Green Hydrogen (GH2) and Power-to-X (PtX) projects, essential for the green economy transition. With limited tailored Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) frameworks for the GH2 economy, it provides comprehensive guidelines. The guide introduces GH2 and PtX technologies, aligns projects with policies and regulations, and promotes best EIA practices. It outlines the EIA process, offers impact assessment tools, and includes expert insights to support responsible and equitable development. | May 2024 | Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Financial Pre-Feasibility study on Lighthouse Technology: Ammonia | The "Financial Pre-Feasibility Study on Lighthouse Technology: Ammonia" explores the financial viability of establishing a green ammonia (GNH3) production facility in South Africa. The study serves as a model for financial pre-feasibility assessments and provides insights into financing strategies, project costs, and economic risks associated with large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia projects. It integrates findings from a techno-economic pre-feasibility study to assess cash flows, financing models, and market dynamics while addressing financial risks, regulatory factors, and stakeholder engagement necessary to attract investors and ensure project bankability. | May 2024 | GIZ South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini: The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | PtX business opportunities in South Africa | An analysis of the renewable hydrogen market potential, value chain and business opportunities in South Africa. | May 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Emerging themes and priorities of green hydrogen research to support public and private sector objectives | This report is a review of the status quo and gaps in green hydrogen (GH2) research, as well as determine the alignment between policy goals and research objectives and private sector needs in South Africa. | April 2024 | South African National Energy Development Institute and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Pre-feasibility Study on Lighthouse Technology: Ammonia | The "Pre-feasibility Study on Lighthouse Technology Ammonia" is a financial and technical pre-feasibility study focused on green ammonia (GNH₃) production in South Africa. It evaluates the viability of using green hydrogen (GH₂) for ammonia production, considering economic, environmental, and regulatory factors. The study is part of the H2.SA initiative, which aims to promote a sustainable hydrogen economy in South Africa. | December 2023 | Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, GFA Consulting Group GmbH |
 | PtX Competitiveness Analysis | This report provides the results of a competitiveness analysis between GH2/PtX (ammonia for export, ammonia-based fertilisers, green steel, green methanol for marine bunkering and sustainable aviation fuels) and their fossil-fuel-based and renewable) alternatives using a levelised cost of PtX (LCOX) tool developed by the project. The modelling results show that some applications have very small cost gaps and can achieve cost parity without the introduction of a carbon tax, while others show big gaps. Green ammonia (for fertilisers and export) and green steel are the most promising applications that South Africa can focus on in the medium and long term. | November 2023 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Electrolyser Market Overview 2023 | A market overview of electrolyser manufacturing, including trends, developments, and growth prospects within the rapidly evolving industry. | April 2023 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Fuel Cell Market Overview 2023 | A comprehensive market overview of fuel cell manufacturing, including trends, developments, and growth prospects within the rapidly evolving industry. | April 2023 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Talking about green hydrogen: popular education materials | Accessible information regarding the promises, risks and impacts green hydrogen can have for communities in South Africa. | March 2023 | Earthlife Africa, Economic Justice Network of FOCCISA, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Mining Affected Communities United In Action, Women affected by Mining United in Action and WoMin African Alliance |
 | Green Hydrogen: Implications for International Cooperation, With Special Reference to South Africa | Information on the emerging green hydrogen market, opportunities for countries with abundant resources for renewable energy and how development cooperation can help countries exploit the opportunities in support of sustainable national development. | 2023 | German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) GmbH |
 | The South African Green Hydrogen TVET Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework | The study aims to support the orientation of South Africa’s TVET college ecosystem towards the GHE by providing insight on the sectors on which to focus and the timelines by which it could be required to provide its graduates with the skills required in the GHE, as well as the potential for up- or re-skilling given those timelines. | December 2022 | South African Institute of International Affairs, UK PACT, South African Department of Higher Education and Training, South African Department of Science and Innovation |
 | Green hydrogen: Key success criteria for sustainable trade & production. | A synthesis based on consultations in Africa and Latin America, policy processes, and input from stakeholders to inform decision-makers and investors how hydrogen trading contributes to a just energy transition, energy security, and the prevention of climate change. | November 2022 | Brot für die Welt and Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung |
 | South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), 2023–2027 | This sets out the scale of need and the investments required to support the decarbonisation commitments made by South Africa. | November 2022 | The Presidency, Republic of South Africa |
 | Innovation trends in electrolysers for hydrogen production | A mappping of electrolyser technologies and trends revealed by analysing the global evolution of patent filings between 2005 and 2020 in the domain of electrolysers used to produce hydrogen. | May 2022 | The European Patent Office and the International Renewable Energy Agency |
 | Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa 2021 | This serves as a national coordinating framework to facilitate the integration of hydrogen-related technologies in the South African economy and stimulate economic recovery. | 2021 | South African Department of Science and Innovation |
 | Hydrogen Research Activities in South Africa | A review of hydrogen R&D activities at South African universities, other research institutions and private industry. | October 2016 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
