SOUTH AFRICA GREEN HYDROGEN RESOURCES
| Link | Name of publication | Description | Publication Date | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Supporting Sustainable Hydrogen Development: The Role of Technical Standards Regulation and Sustainability Certification | The policy brief outlines the importance of regulation, technical standards, and sustainability certification in advancing the green hydrogen economy. As South Africa positions itself for export opportunities, standards and certification play a critical role in facilitating green hydrogen trade. While existing structures like the South African Bureau of Standards Technical Committee 197 are already working on developing relevant standards, the brief further recommends short-, medium-, and long-term actions that government entities in South Africa could pursue to enhance their readiness for the green hydrogen economy. | 17 April 2025 | GHSA |
 | Green Hydrogen Mechanisms for Community Beneficiation | This study examines mechanisms for community beneficiation (MCB) from South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and related sectors to recommend strategies for the green hydrogen (GH2) economy. The selection of the appropriate MCB among GH2 projects can be dependent on key factors including a supportive regulatory environment and attitudes of the companies implementing the beneficiation initiative. Addressing gaps in these factors, will enable more effective adoption and implementation of MCB. | April 2025 | GHSA |
 | Impact Analysis of Critical Raw Materials’ Mining and Use for the Green Hydrogen Economy in South Africa | The study explores South Africa’s potential as a major producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), essential for green hydrogen technologies. It assesses the social, economic, and environmental impacts of PGMs mining, supply chain challenges, and opportunities for sustainable mineral sourcing in the country’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy. | April 2025 | GHSA |
 | The Role of a GH2/ PtX Economy on Energy Security in South Africa | To ensure sustainable growth, the South African government must expand renewable energy (RE) capacity to address domestic needs while supporting green hydrogen (GH2) development. A Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)- commissioned study explores these dynamics, analysing energy security impacts and providing recommendations to maximise GH2/PtX benefits for South Africa. The report includes detailed analyses of the energy sector, challenges, international case studies, and policy recommendations for infrastructure and economic growth. | February 2025 | GFA Consulting Group |
 | Green Hydrogen South Africa Studies Handbook | H2.SA support its partners from Government, private sector, and civil society, with expertise, resources, and building capacity to promote a South African green and sustainable hydrogen economy. | 11 February 2025 | GHSA |
 | Gender Sensitivity Training Manual | Gender-sensitive facilitation ensures that the perspectives and needs of all participants, regardless of gender, are recognised and addressed. This approach is not just about fairness; it is about effectiveness and inclusivity. | January 2025 | International PtX Hub & H2.SA |
 | Life Cycle Assessment of Green Ammonia | Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standard and systematic approach to assess the environmental impacts of a product throughout lifecycle – from extraction of raw materials through manufacturing, use and final disposal. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) |
 | Pre-feasibility study on lighthouse technology Methanol | This study was carried out by GFA-CSIR as part of the project ‘Promoting a South African Green Hydrogen Economy (H2.SA)’ implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. H2.SA supports the South African public and private sectors in realising the potential of a sustainable green hydrogen (GH2) economy for the country. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | H2/PtX Projects in South Africa: A preliminary review of the Environmental and Social impacts | Power-to-X (PtX) prospects in South Africa are driven by an increasing global demand, plus an urgent domestic need to end load-shedding and create a secure, diversified, decarbonised energy economy. The country’s renewable energy resources, port infrastructure and platinum group metal reserves give it a competitive advantage in producing cost-effective PtX products. | November 2024 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Community Development Toolkit | This toolkit is about community development for project developers in the green hydrogen sector. Its focus is to provide practical step-by-step advice for community development personnel or managers responsible for community development work in green hydrogen companies. | November 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 |
 | A Practical Guide to Developing Sustainable Green H2/PtX Projects in South Africa | This “Practical Guide” to Developing Sustainable Green Hydrogen (GH2) and Power-to-X (PtX) Projects in South Africa aims to equip readers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the process for developing a project from concept to Final Investment Decision. It raises awareness for all stakeholder the complexity of developing a GH project. | April 2024 | The 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 |
 | Policy Paper: Green Hydrogen Competitive Market | This study focuses on growing a competitive green hydrogen market in South Africa. It is motivated by the need for green hydrogen prices to be shaped by competitive market forces to ensure affordability and sustainability. Imposing any particular regulations around the pricing of green hydrogen products could result in severe regulatory and market risks for project developers, potentially stifling investment. Therefore, instead, we propose that efforts should be ramped up to bolster the competition authority to provide robust oversight regarding the supply of green hydrogen products into the market, particularly in the event where there may be an emergence of monopoly suppliers. | September 2023 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) |
 | Policy Paper: The Potential Benefit of Green Hydrogen for the Republic of South Africa | The objective of this policy brief is to provide recommendations on potential opportunities relating to the green hydrogen economy in South Africa, taking advantage of the abundant renewable and mineral resources. | September 2023 | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH |
 | Policy brief design: Green Hydrogen trains | The study explores the viability of green hydrogen-propelled trains as a sustainable and practical solution for South Africa. It is motivated by the urgent need to address the decarbonisation imperative in the transportation sector and to mitigate the challenges posed by vandalism and theft of the overhead power lines. By examining this innovative application, the study aims to foster the development of a domestic green hydrogen market, paving the way for greener, more efficient freight systems. | July 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 |