JSE-listed energy and chemicals group Sasol has, in collaboration with its public-sector and academic partners, commissioned a 2 kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser system at the company's Research and Technology (R&T) campus, in Sasolburg, in the Free State.

Over and above Sasol’s contribution, the electrolyser was developed with contributions from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation's (DSTI's) Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) programme in partnership with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the North-West University.

Each of the stakeholders were unanimous in stating that this system will provide a platform for testing hydrogen production technologies, evaluating locally developed electrolyser technology under variable renewable energy conditions and supporting local skills development.

Addressing delegates at a launch event on July 31, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Professor Blade Nzimande said the project underscored the strategic relationship between South Africa's critical minerals and the country’s clean energy ambitions.

"The relationship between critical minerals, beneficiation and green hydrogen in the context of the DSTI's Renewable Energy agenda is key.

“Central to the deployment of this 2 kW PEM electrolyser system is the beneficiation of critical minerals, particularly platinum group metals. These minerals are key to fuelling industries of the future and our aim is to ensure South Africa becomes a major player in key upstream, midstream and downstream parts of these future industries," he said.

The Minister added that the project would generate the knowledge required to support the commercialisation and wider deployment of green hydrogen technologies in South Africa.

"We are confident that the knowledge and insights generated through this system will help us move closer to more efficient, commercially competitive, scaled production of green hydrogen, expand our export portfolio and stimulate [the] domestic [use] of green hydrogen in support of a net-zero economic future," Nzimande said.

In his address, the Minister also stressed that science, technology and innovation should be placed at the centre of industrialisation and economic development, arguing that South Africa should leverage its critical mineral endowment to build domestic manufacturing capability and move further up global value chains instead of remaining largely an exporter of raw materials.

He further emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, industry and research institutions in translating scientific research into commercially viable technologies.

Meanwhile, Sasol Business Building, Strategy and Technology EVP Dr Sarushen Pillay said the commissioning of the electrolyser demonstrated the progress that can be achieved through collaboration between the public and private sectors.

"This commissioning is a powerful example of what can be achieved when government, academia and industry work together to advance South Africa's future energy security.

“As Sasol, we are excited to partner with the DSTI, SANEDI and the North-West University in turning South Africa's green hydrogen ambitions into practical capability."

He noted that hydrogen would play an increasingly important role in producing lower-carbon fuels and chemicals and that the new facility would provide an industrial platform for advancing locally developed hydrogen technologies.

"Hydrogen is an important building block for producing sustainable fuels and chemicals, and this programme provides a unique industrial platform to advance locally developed electrolyser technology.

"The fact that this electrolyser was built by HySA here in South Africa and will be tested at Sasol's industry-leading R&T campus in Sasolburg is a significant milestone for South Africa's hydrogen landscape," he said.

During his address, Pillay also highlighted South Africa's competitive advantages in the hydrogen economy, including its renewable energy resources, industrial capabilities and Sasol's long-standing experience in hydrogen production.

He argued that a continued collaboration between government, industry and academia would be essential to developing local technologies, building skills and creating an ecosystem capable of supporting future hydrogen value chains.

The commissioning forms part of the DSTI's Hydrogen South Africa programme, which aims to strengthen local research, innovation and intellectual property development while accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies to support South Africa's energy transition and industrial growth.