Report-back with video and presentations: 2nd Renewable Hydrogen and Green Powerfuels Webinar for South Africa

View, hear and search the full audio/video recording of the webinar.

Read the keynote speech by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel.

EE Business Intelligence and the British High Commission to South Africa co-hosted a high-level webinar in association with the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the World Bank, Sasol, Toyota South Africa, Linde and Investec Bank.

DATE: Tuesday 13 April 2021

TIME: 14h00 to 17h15

There were about 2400 online registrations for the webinar. Attendance on the day peaked at about 1300 attendees.

For ease of reference the following is a breakdown of the various sections of the webinar which are accessible at the following times in the video (hh:mm:ss):

00:00:00: Welcome by Mr. Chris Yelland, EE Business Intelligence

00:07:05: Introduction by Mr. Nigel Casey, British High Commissioner to SA

00:13:26: Keynote address by DTIC Minister Ebrahim Patel

00:36:54: Presentation by Mr. Richard North, GU Government 

01:01:45: Presentation by Dr. Fernando de Sisternes, World Bank, USA 

01:24:00: Presentation by Mr. Fleetwood Grobler, CEO, Sasol 

01:50:00: Presentation by Mr. Andrew Kirby, CEO, Toyota SA 

02:22:57: Presentation by Dr. David Burns, Linde, Germany 

02:36:10: Q & A session moderated by Mr. Chris Yelland

03:05:00: Summary and wrap-up by Mr. Andre Wepener, Investec Bank 

03:09:38: Announcement of next webinar by Chris Yelland

Green powerfuels are synthetic gaseous or liquid fuels based on renewable hydrogen, which is hydrogen obtained by the electrolysis of water using renewable electricity. Green powerfuels are therefore a renewable alternative to fossil fuels as their use avoids net emissions of CO2. Green powerfuels are used in sectors which may be difficult to decarbonise and not easily driven directly by renewables-based electricity, including road and rail transportation, shipping, and production of steel, cement and fertiliser, amongst others.

South Africa has exceptional wind and solar natural resources, 50 years of experience in the commercial production of synthetic fuels and associated chemicals using the Fischer-Tropsch process, and a vibrant local automotive manufacturing sector. This provides the country a unique opportunity for decarbonisation, re-industrialisation and job creation around the Green Economy in in support of a Just Energy Transition, centred around the production of green powerfuels and electric vehicles.

The webinar explored the policies, business case, technologies and opportunities for South Africa by renewable hydrogen and green powerfuels, in the transportation, chemicals, cement, iron and steel sectors in South Africa.

EE Business Intelligence strives to be a positive formative influence on policy, economic, social, regulatory, standardisation, training and business development in the energy, electricity and ICT sectors of Africa. Its activities and services include thought leadership, analysis, research, consulting, special assignments, business intelligence, strategic event facilitation and management, and public, corporate and media speaking engagements and commentary.