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Launching eThekwini’s Hydrogen Strategy
by 3S Media
Simphiwe Dlamini &
The launch took place during the eThekwini Energy Transformation Summit, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 1 and 2 March, marking eThekwini as the first city in South Africa to develop a world-class Hydrogen Strategy. This is in line with the City’s continued efforts to explore the hydrogen economy in South Africa.
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Elaborating on the strategy, Mayor Kaunda said it outlines the exciting potential that lies in building a future hydrogen economy that can deliver, beyond clean energy and fuels, a holistic city resilience built on circular economy principles.
Kaunda added that the Municipality had already identified three hydrogen hubs (namely Durban Port, Richards Bay, and Cato Ridge Dry Port). Each hub serves to meet demand and supply for conventional fuels. “The supply chain infrastructure for hydrogen projects already exists in Durban and Richards Bay; however, more repurposing must happen to ensure projects reach commercial operation. Low-carbon hydrogen is catalytic for energy landscape by reducing a heavy dependence on domestically produced and imported fossil fuels, in exchange for reliance on domestically sourced renewable energy and a circular economy,” said Kaunda.
He assured attendees that the document wouldn’t gather dust on the shelves of City Hall, but serve as a practical strategy derived from circular economy approaches to outline supply chain infrastructure projects in the hydrogen economy. “Our regional Hydrogen Strategy could unlock US$23 billion (R421 billion) of private investment in the long term. Approximately $10 billion (R199.5 billion) is estimated on infrastructure investment by 2030. Up to 260 000 constructions jobs, and 11 000 permanent jobs could be created by 2030. By 2050, the hydrogen economy could create approximately 392 786 construction jobs and 24 671 permanent jobs in the eThekwini and Richards Bay regions,” he added.
Working together
Kaunda told delegates that the City
He urged investors to work with government to restructure the gas industry in the province and that the turnaround plan would require all stakeholders to assess the possibility of stranded assets and job losses in the south of Durban.
The summit was hosted by the City’s Energy Office and was the first of its kind in South Africa. Held under the theme ‘Building Energy Security Today’, it aimed to increase market appetite for the private sector to deal with the current power crisis in search for sustainable alternative energy. The summit built against the backdrop of South Africa’s increasing energy constraints.
Various stakeholders from the private sector also posed questions to a panel of Municipal staff from the Economic Development Unit, the Office of Strategic Management, and the Chief Financial Officer that will be integral to the implementation of the Municipal Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.
This forms part of eThekwini’s reform strategy to revive energy