ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination, and green hydrogen plants worldwide, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), a government-owned Development Finance Institution, have signed an extensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exploring a partnership in the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives in the Republic of South Africa.
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This partnership announcement coincides with the state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is the first agreement of its kind between ACWA Power and the IDC although the parties have previously collaborated for equity in a renewable energy plant in South Africa.
With tangible renewable energy development commitments in South Africa already contributing to the country’s clean energy goals, the signing of the MOU with the IDC for the development of green hydrogen is a significant step towards further investing in diversifying the country’s energy mix and accelerating its green economy, said Paddy Padmanathan, CEO and Vice Chairman of ACWA Power.
ACWA Power will function as the developer for green hydrogen and its derivatives in South Africa, with the IDC acting as co-developer and equity partner in the proposed projects.
The potential value of this MoU is estimated at US$10 billion.
As a company that is driving energy transition, ACWA Power is proud to work closely with the IDC with whom we share a robust working history, and today we are delighted to take our collaboration further. I am confident that our expertise in developing mega-scale green hydrogen projects in other geographies will enable us to successfully create a new avenue of sustainable energy generation, one that will pave the path to further progress, Paddy Padmanathan added.
Green hydrogen export ambitions
South Africa has a net zero target for 2050 and plans to become a significant producer and exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
Accordingly, the government has mandated the IDC to lead the development and commercialization of the green hydrogen economy.
The IDC, in partnership with the Green Hydrogen Panel, is in the process of finalizing the South African Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy (GHCS).
The IDC recognizes the substantial value and benefits that the green hydrogen economy will bring to South Africa. The green hydrogen economy presents new economic, skills, employment, and community opportunities for the country. We are pleased to explore potential partnership opportunities with ACWA Power, given its pedigree and expertise in this industry, said Joanne Bate, Chief Operating Officer, IDC.
The IDC is currently supporting the development of several catalytic projects in the green hydrogen value chain including green hydrogen and ammonia production, mobility projects, and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors using green hydrogen.
IDC is also exploring bespoke funding solutions with co-funders for green hydrogen projects and supporting the required regulatory and policy changes to foster a conducive environment for the development of this new green hydrogen industry for South Africa.
Leverage existing presence
Given ACWA Power’s experience in the South African renewable energy industry and in green hydrogen projects abroad, the company says that it “can play a meaningful role in supporting the objectives of the GHCS.”
Both parties will carry out a feasibility study, potentially cooperate, jointly develop and co-invest in projects in the green hydrogen value chain in South Africa.
This MoU with ACWA Power will support the implementation of the GHCS and will contribute towards the country’s green hydrogen production targets.
ACWA Power has had a footprint in South Africa since 2016, and currently has two solar energy plants—Bokpoort and Redstone—in the country. Both projects utilize concentrated solar power technology.
With key projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the company is ramping up green hydrogen projects at scale in different locations globally.
The NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, a joint venture with ACWA Power, NEOM, and Air Products, is developing the world’s largest green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia.
When commissioned in 2026, it will produce up to 650 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.
By that date, the project will mitigate the impact of 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
In addition, ACWA Power, as part of a joint venture, also recently signed a Joint Development Agreement towards a multi-billion-dollar investment in a world-scale green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy in Oman; as well as two Memoranda of Understanding in South Korea with different industrial partners.
