Hive Hydrogen will launch South Africa’s first-ever green ammonia plant, ushering in a new wave of hydrogen development that will position the country as a net hydrogen exporter. During an exclusive interview with Energy Capital & Power (ECP), Hive Hydrogen Chairperson and former Eskom CEO Thulani Gcabashe provided insight into the project, emphasizing the role that green ammonia will play in Africa’s energy transition as well as the potential of South Africa’s renewable energy market. The main development partners are BuiltAfrica and Hive Energy of the UK. Together, we formed a company called Hive Hydrogen South Africa – the development company. The project is located at the Coega Special Economic Development Zone which is one of the development centers in the Eastern Cape and is a deep port, good for the vessels that are going to be needing. The Eastern Cape itself is attractive as there are good solar and wind resources. Because of dealing with green ammonia, for our input of electricity, our intention is to keep it totally green. Therefore, the selection of the site made sense.
Regulatory regime, certainly on the energy side, is very well developed and quite mature. Having had early discussions with several regulators and have found a keenness to make this work. Institutions are very helpful. There is a lot of engagement and a lot of support. Notably, from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition among other departments. What we have as a country and a region can be realized and facilitated by supportive regulation. The project is in its early days; and not yet at the application stage, but we are having a lot of discussions with potential regulators, and we are finding a lot of accommodation and are happy to discuss all sorts of things.