S energy T 46 |
S energy T 46 | Service magazine
energy S Welcome boost for Saldanha Bay Municipality Saldanha Bay Municipality gets timely relief with the announcement of a partnership between Sasol and ArcelorMittal South Africa to develop a green hydrogen hub in the area. By Neesa Moodley T Article courtesy of Daily Maverick The two powerhouses, which are both chasing the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, plan to advance studies into two potential projects: the Saldanha green hydrogen and derivatives study, which will explore the region’s potential as an export hub for green hydrogen and derivatives as well as green steel production; and a Vaal carbon capture and utilisation study aimed at the use of renewable electricity and green hydrogen to convert captured carbon from ArcelorMittal South Africa’s Vanderbijlpark’s steel plant into sustainable fuels and chemicals. “We are very excited to be leading the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on these two potential projects that hold promise to unlock South Africa’s potential to be a global green hydrogen and derivatives player. These studies are anchored by the local need for green hydrogen and sustainable products,” says Priscillah Mabelane, executive vice president for Sasol’s Energy Business. Kobus Verster, chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal South Africa (Amsa), says the two projects will kickstart the group’s decarbonisation journey, and “by maximising the utilisation of our installed assets, we will also be stimulating economic growth in our host communities”. Both initiatives hold potential for ArcelorMittal to be the first African green flat steel producer using green hydrogen to produce direct reduced iron via the Midrex facility at its Saldanha Works (which is currently under care and maintenance) while reducing the carbon footprint of its flagship Vanderbijlpark Works. “As government’s hydrogen economy development and commercialisation champion, the IDC supports sector linkages like this that are critical to realising South Africa’s ambition to develop the green hydrogen economy,” says Joanne Bate, chief operating officer of the IDC. In 2022, South Africa published a hydrogen society roadmap, with targets including: • The creation of an export market for green hydrogen and ammonia • The development of domestic hydrogen supply chains Service magazine | 47
