MINING TECHNOLOGY
Key partners at Sasolburg plant.
Sasol partners to build local hydrogen technology capability
Petrochemical giant, Sasol, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the South African National Energy Development Institute and North-West University have commissioned a 2kW Proton Exchange Membrane electrolyser at Sasol’s Research and Technology campus in Sasolburg, marking a meaningful step forward in South Africa’s drive to build local hydrogen technology capability.
D eveloped through the DSTI’s Hydrogen South Africa Programme, the electrolyser will create a platform for testing, learning and skills development in hydrogen production and system integration. The programme will not only test the performance of the electrolyser but also its delivery under variable renewable electricity conditions. The commissioning was marked at an event attended by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, together with representatives from Sasol, SANEDI and North-West University. Minister Nzimande said “The relationship between critical minerals, beneficiation, and green hydrogen in the context of DSTI’s Renewable Energy agenda is key. Central to the deployment of this 2kW PEM Electrolyser System is the beneficiation of critical minerals, particularly Platinum Group Metals or PGMs. These minerals are key to fuelling industries of the future and our aim is to ensure South Africa becomes a major player in key upstream, mid-stream and downstream parts of
these future industries. We are confident that the knowledge and insights generated through this system will help us move closer to more efficient, commercially competitive, scaled production of green hydrogen, expand our export portfolio, and stimulate domestic utilisation of green hydrogen in support of a net-zero economic future.” Sarushen Pillay, Sasol Executive Vice President: Business Building, Strategy and Technology, said “This commissioning is a powerful example of what can be achieved when government, academia and industry work together to advance South Africa’s future energy security. As Sasol, we are excited to partner with the DSTI, SANEDI and North-West University in turning South Africa’s green hydrogen ambitions into practical capability. Hydrogen is an important building block for producing sustainable fuels and chemicals, and this programme provides a unique industrial platform to advance locally developed electrolyser technology. The fact that this electrolyser was built by HySA here in South Africa and will be
24 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2026
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