Minister Gina Heads to Japan to Strengthen Ties on Hydrogen and Green Energy. Image: Government ZA.
(The Post News) – Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, has reaffirmed SA’s commitment to advancing sustainable fuels and hydrogen energy. She is attending ministerial meetings on Sustainable Fuels and the 7th Hydrogen Energy in Japan.
She recognised the pivotal role of sustainable fuels in climate action, stressing that they are essential to South Africa’s decarbonisation drive, which is aimed at powering industries, transport systems and the wider economy, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the country’s climate commitments.
Gina pointed to robust policy frameworks, such as the Biofuel Regulatory Framework (BRF), and support for research and innovation as central to South Africa’s strategy. One of the key drivers of expanding the scale-up, production and utilisation of sustainable fuels is the creation of robust policy and regulatory frameworks, as well as promoting the support and collaboration in research, development and innovation aimed at cost reduction and deployment of key technologies and infrastructure for sustainable fuels, including carbon capture, use and storage. she explained.
SA Expanding Focus to Hydrogen Energy
Gina said that South Africa is expanding its focus to include hydrogen by building global supply chains and forging cross-border projects, the ensure that sustainable fuels flow seamlessly across regions, strengthening both energy security and economic resilience.
At the 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting, Gina addressed delegates under the theme, ‘Demand Creation’ and underscored the need to build both supply and demand for hydrogen. According to her, while supply chains for hydrogen and its derivatives are advancing at remarkable speed, their long-term success will depend on our collective ability to generate and sustain demand.
South Africa’s efforts include establishing hydrogen valleys and hubs and supporting projects like the Platinum Valley Initiative (PVI). “Within this corridor, hubs have been identified to support decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as chemicals, steel, and cement; to drive hydrogen mobility through mining haul trucks and buses; and to introduce hydrogen into the power sector,” the Deputy Minister said.
Tax incentives
She cited the introduction of tax incentives for manufacturing new energy vehicles, including hydrogen-powered vehicles. One such example is the PVI, the South African version of the Hydrogen Valley, stretching from the north of the country to the east coast at the Port of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.
“South Africa has introduced tax incentives through the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No. 42 of 2024 for the manufacturing of new energy vehicles, including hydrogen-powered vehicles, aimed at stimulating local production and creating a strong market for both battery electric and hydrogen mobility,” Gina said.
She also called for an inclusive transition, saying the creation of a sustainable fuel future must also incorporate just, inclusive and transformative principles. Training, reskilling, and knowledge transfer will ensure that the transition creates jobs, builds industries, and uplifts communities across the globe.
The Deputy Minister is currently in Japan until Thursday to engage with Japanese officials on international collaboration, demand stimulation, and supply chain development between the two nations.
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