MAPPING THE FUTURE  

South Africa: 10 facts on green hydrogen and the coal-based economy

By Xolisa Phillip, in Johannesburg

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Posted on January 24, 2023 14:57

 © South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at the Green Hydrogen Summit at Century City in Cape Town, South Africa, November 29, 2022. REUTERS
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks at the Green Hydrogen Summit at Century City in Cape Town, South Africa, November 29, 2022. REUTERS

As the most coal-dependent country in the G20, South Africa’s road to net zero will be paved with green hydrogen, according to the government and energy sector.

In the Country Climate and Development Report for South Africa, a joint World Bank Group and Presidential Climate Commission publication, the cost of the country’s decarbonisation, adaptation, and just transition approach could climb to R2.4tr ($140bn) by 2030, or around 4.4% of South Africa’s GDP per year.

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