Advancing the financing of the hydrogen economy through science diplomacy

The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and its partners will host the inaugural Science Diplomacy for Economic Development: Hydrogen Economy workshop from 5 to 7 December at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town.

As part of a national drive to create a clean, affordable and sustainable energy future for South Africa, the South African government, through the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), released the Hydrogen Society Roadmap in 2021.

The Science Diplomacy for Economic Development through Hydrogen project is an initiative of the DSI in partnership with Stellenbosch University's Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Impact Hydrogen and Durban University of Technology.

The project seeks to support the Hydrogen Society Roadmap directly through a series of local and international round-table workshops and follow-up engagements. The inaugural roundtable workshop, with the theme "Creating hydrogen valleys for South Africa", will unpack the progress that South Africa has made so far towards setting up its first hydrogen valley (as recommended in the roadmap).

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the first Green Hydrogen Summit. He highlighted that green hydrogen had growth and investment potential that made it a vital pillar of the just energy transition.

The President indicated that green hydrogen valleys would create jobs, attract investment, bring development to rural provinces and support the move away from fossil fuels.

As the custodian on the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, the DSI will continue the conversation on hydrogen valleys, focusing on funding.  During the three-day event, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation will launch the series of workshops, which will be held locally and internationally. The Minister will also launch the South African Green Hydrogen TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Ecosystem Just Transition Strategic Framework study, which looks at the skills needed for the ecosystem.

The event is an official side-event of the World Science Forum, themed, "Science for Social Justice" taking place from 6 to 9 December

The media are invited as follows:

Date                5-7 December 2022

Time:             

Venue:           Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

For more information, contact Zama Mthethwa on 082 808 3956 or Julian Leshilo-Sebake on 060 961 2194

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation