Gauteng Premier David Makhura has arrived in Munich, Germany, on an official visit under the theme: Opportunities and Lessons from Green Industrialisation.
The two-week visit ties in with Gauteng province’s vision to strengthen international relations and economic development plans, which focus on ten high-growth sectors, including energy.
The economic programme of the Gauteng Provincial Government in the high-growth sectors focuses on transportation and logistics, ICT and digital services with a focus on the gig economy, tourism and hospitality, agro-processing and agri-business, construction and infrastructure, automotive, aerospace and defence, financial services, cultural and creative services, and industrial cannabis.
“I am undertaking a trip to Germany as part of the work of the provincial government. We have done extensive work on renewable energy and green hydrogen. These are the key issues we will discuss with Bavaria State,” said Makhura.
The premier will, among others, visit the giant car manufacturer, BMW, which has a plant in South Africa andinnovator, Siemens.
“Whilst we recognise the history between South Africa and BMW, we intend to look at the future of the automotive industry as climate change reshapes societies and economies.
“The Gauteng province intends to build even stronger partnerships with BMW. I will be signing a renewal of a sister agreement with Bavaria State where BMW is manufactured,” said Makhura.
The provincial government is also focusing on industrial power grids that use renewable energy.
Green hydrogen was identified as a “big frontier” that represents both future and current growth and investment opportunities for South Africa at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium in October 2021.
Globally, the demand for green hydrogen (H2) and green hydrogen-based products such as ammonia and synthetic jet fuel is rising.
It is estimated that the global green H2 export market could be worth USD 300 billion per annum by 2050. Green H2’s export potential and its potential to decarbonise local industry have so far not yet been fully explored by South Africa.
The Presidency and Infrastructure South Africa are working with Germany’s Economic Development Department to develop catalytic green hydrogen projects.
The benefits of building a Green H2 will open new export markets for South African companies, lead to significant economic development, reindustrialisation, job creation opportunities and support a just transition in the South African energy sector.
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