On 26 August 2022, the Prieska Power Reserve partners, will host a ministerial visit at the Prieska Power Reserve Site in the Northern Cape. The Prieska Power Reserve is one of its kind, founded and developed by a women-led company, Mahlako a Phahla, in partnership with CENEC and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

The visit aims to lay the ground to showcase the work being done to spearhead the development of the Green Hydrogen in South Africa. This site visit will be led by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), Patricia De Lille, joined by Deputy Minister of DPWI, Ms Noxolo Kiviet; Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul; Head of Investment and Infrastructure in the Office of the Presidency, Professor Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Northern Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo; Mayor of Siyathemba Municipality, Mr Andrew West Phillips; Acting Municipal Manager, Howard Meiring; Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Cape Economic Development Agency, Mr Hendrik Louw representatives from the InfrastructureSA team, representatives from the Northern Province, and the Siyathemba Local Community

The Prieska Power Reserve is catalytic project within the South African Hydrogen ecosystem that will be contributing not only to the development of the industry, but also to the economic recovery and growth of our country. The Project will positively contribute to South Africa's National Infrastructure Plan and Hydrogen Strategy, substantially playing in the hydrogen economy dating back to 2008, when Hydrogen South Africa (“HySA”) was officially launched by the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation. As such, we view this Project as a significant contributor to HySA's mission and vision for innovation, which is key to driving the development of the hydrogen roadmap for South Africa. The first phase will target the production of 72 000t of green ammonia a year with a green hydrogen content of 12 900t beginning in 2025 and escalating to over 500 000t by 2030.  

It is anticipated that the Project will increase the country’s green ammonia exports by $10.5 billion and contribute an estimated R82 billion to South Africa’s GDP. The Project will create over 176 000 job years that will benefit local communities and develop skills for skilled and non-skilled labourers together with women and youth; and will result in increased market penetration by female industrialists and female-owned green infrastructure providers. In addition, it is estimated that the Project will result in the upskilling of 16 500 people over a 30-year period, as well as the development of approximately 300 new small businesses, the majority of which will be black-owned.  

In full recognition of the national significance and importance of this Project, Prieska Power Reserve has been identified as a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) in the Northern Cape’s Green Hydrogen strategy and the Project has undergone the process of achieving classification as a SIP, currently awaiting gazetting.

One of the main objectives of the visit is to engage with key stakeholders signifying our commitment to ensuring that the Republic of South Africa becomes a first-to-market on the continent and a key global player in the newly developing green hydrogen economy, with the Northern Cape as a focal point. Furthermore, the Project will help to integrate and create an inclusive hydrogen society, enabling meaningful collaboration between industry, labour, communities, and government.  

During the visit, delegates will have the opportunity to tour the project site, the community where the project is located, meet with the Prieska Power directors and project team members.