Initiatives, Programs, and Policies

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June 2021

On 17 December 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed members of the inaugural Presidential Climate Change Coordinating Commission (P4C). The Commission, Chaired by the President, is tasked with advising on South Africa’s climate change response, including mitigation and adaptation to climate change and associated impacts. The P4C will also provide independent monitoring and review of South Africa’s progress in meeting its emissions reduction and adaptation goals as well as advise on and facilitate a common understanding of a just transition.

On 10 June 2021, President Ramaphosa announced that companies will be able to generate and even sell-on electricity up to 100MW, without a license. This was increased from a previous cap of 1MW.

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December 2020

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has recently made a Call for the procurement of 2,000 MW of emergency power targeting a range of energy sources and technologies under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Programme (RMIPPP) in September 2020. The RMIPPP is designed to address the country’s short-term electricity supply constraints by delivering power to the grid no later than June 2022.

This paves the way for the procurement of 11,813 MW of new generation capacity with 6,800 MW planned from renewable energy sources (PV or Wind) for the years 2022 to 2024 of which 513 MW is targeted for procurement during 2022. A further 3,000 MW has been earmarked for generation from gas for the years 2024 to 2027.

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November 2019

The President signed into law the Carbon Tax Act No 15 of 2019, which came into effect on 1 June 2019. As part of its contribution to the global effort on climate change, South Africa is introducing the Carbon Tax Act. Companies will pay a penalty of R120 per ton CO2-eq. It is hoped that the amount will be increased over time and that the funds will be used to support green initiatives towards decarbonising the economy.

The Integrated Resource Plan 2019 (IRP2019), which gives the proposed energy mix for the country for the next 10 years, was released on 18 October 2019. The IRP 2019, which can be accessed at www.gpwonline.co.za, indicates an increased role of renewables and gas in the energy mix.

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Research and Development

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December 2020 No major developments to report in this period. __________________________________________________________________________ November 2019 No major developments during the period.

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Demonstration, Deployments, and Workforce Developments

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June 2021

The Department of Science and Innovation, Anglo American Platinum, Bambili Energy and Engie formally announced their collaboration on the Hydrogen Valley (Platinum Valley) Feasibility Study. The study will look at the viability of running hydrogen fuel cell powered trucks and buses along the N1/N3 corridor stretching from Anglo American Platinum’s Mogalakwena mine in Limpopo, through Johannesburg and ending in Durban. The Platinum Valley will leverage existing facilities on either side of the corridor to stimulate the development of hydrogen production hubs and infrastructure to support both the mobility and stationary applications.

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December 2020 Seven (7) fuel cell systems were deployed at a military hospital in Pretoria to assist with government’s response towards the COVID-19 pandemic. The 7 x 5kW systems are being used to provide primary power to the field hospitals with life-saving equipment. ___________________________________________________________________________ November 2019 Through the HySA Infrastructure Centre at North West University, the HySA Programme now has a 350 bar dispenser which can be used for a hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot project.

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Events and Solicitations

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June 2021 The Stakeholder Collaboration Workshop for the Hydrogen Society Roadmap (HSRM) will be held on 14 July 2021. The Collaboration Workshop will bring together stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society and the international community to engage with the draft document and provide further inputs as part of preparing the document for submission to Cabinet later in the year. ____________________________________________________________________________

December 2020

A number of stakeholder consultations were conducted as part of the South African Hydrogen Roadmap development process. Stakeholders from IPHE Partner countries including Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Germany and USA participated in the process.

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November 2019

A South African delegation travelled to Germany and Spain for a tour of solar power and solar fuels research facilities. The tour will inform the development of Solar Research Infrastructure roadmap which includes facilities for the production of green hydrogen from renewable energy sources such as solar PV.

As part of celebrating the National Transport Month in October, the City of Johannesburg, in partnership with GIZ hosted a Symposium on how it plans to reduce fossil fuel emissions as it makes a transition towards low carbon transport.

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Investments and Funding

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December 2020

In addition to the US$4million government funding for technology development through the HySA Programme, US$2million was set aside for stationary fuel cell deployment in collaboration with the private sector, while an additional US$2million has been set aside to kick-start the Platinum Valley project.

_____________________________________________________________________________ November 2019 The government has earmarked R500 million (US$33M) for the solar research infrastructure roadmap which includes the production of renewable hydrogen project. Direct funding of the HySA Programme is US$8M.

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Regulations, Codes & Standards, and Safety

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December 2020

No new developments to report in this period.

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November 2019

The HySA Programme joined the International Centre for Hydrogen Safety in May 2019. This will allow the Programme to leverage on international knowledge on the safe use of hydrogen as well as to contribute to global knowledge in the area of hydrogen safety.

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Data

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June 2021 October 2019 ____________________________________________________________________________ December 2020

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Member Statements

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Last updated June 2021 South African Statement (PDF); 35th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 22 - 25June 2021 South African Statement (PDF); 34th Steering Committee Meeting; Virtual 1 - 4 December 2020 South African Statement (PDF); 32nd Steering Committee Meeting; Seoul, Republic of Korea; 21-15 October 2019 South African Statement (PDF); 31st Steering Committee Meeting; Vienna, Austria; 9-12 April 2019 South African Statement (PDF); 30th Steering Committee Meeting; Pretoria, South Africa; 4-7 December 2018 South African Statement (PDF); 29th Steering Committee Meeting; Japan; 8-11 May 2018 South African Statement (PDF); 28th Steering Committee Meeting; Netherlands; 20-23 November 2017 South African Statement (PDF); 25th Steering Committee Meeting; Berkeley, CA, USA; 17-20 May 2016 South African Statement (PDF); 23rd Steering Committee Meeting; Wuhan, China; 27-28 May 2015 South African Statement (PDF); 22nd Steering Committee Meeting; Rome, Italy; 2-3 December 2014 South African Statement (PDF); 21st Steering Committee Meeting; Oslo, Norway; 19-21 May 2014 South African Statement (PDF); 20th Steering Committee Meeting; City of Fukuoka, Japan; 20-21 November 2013 South African Statement (PDF); 19th Steering Committee Meeting; London, United Kingdom; 23-24 May 2013 South African Statement (PDF); 13th Joint Meeting of the ILC & SC; Essen, Germany; May 2010 Contact: Cosmas Chiteme | Cosmas.Chiteme@dst.gov.za

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