President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled South Africa’s (SA) inaugural wave of six priority green hydrogen projects under the national green hydrogen programme, marking a transition from strategic planning to active project execution.

Delivered on behalf of Ramaphosa by Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa at the African Green Hydrogen Summit in Cape Town, the address detailed a targeted pipeline of renewable energy investments.

The flagship initiative in this initial wave is the Phelan Green Group Electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project located at Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, which has reached Final Investment Decision following a $100 million (R1.82 billion) equity commitment and secured off-take agreements, with construction set for the first quarter of 2027 and initial export deliveries scheduled for early 2029.

The initial wave also encompasses five additional major developments, including the Coega Green Ammonia Project in the Eastern Cape, a large-scale export-oriented initiative currently undergoing commercial and financial structuring toward final investment decision, and the Saldanha Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron Project in the Western Cape, which is at the pre-feasibility stage to integrate green hydrogen with low-emission steel production.

The portfolio further features the Prieska Power Reserve in the Northern Cape aimed at supplying local industrial and agricultural demand, the Green e-Fuels Producers Green Methanol Corridor targeting European export markets for maritime transport, and the Green Hydrogen Solutions Project, a localized venture focused on meeting South African domestic energy requirements that has completed Front-End Engineering Design.

“Since last year’s Summit, we have moved from an undifferentiated pipeline to a managed priority portfolio,” Ramaphosa said. “This demonstrates that with partner support, public and private financing, and proper planning, African nations can move from a concept on paper to projects in development.”

–ChannelAfrica–