An international gathering of energy experts and stakeholders will discuss the potential for hydrogen to deliver on a sustainable energy future. An opportunity exists for Africa to position itself as the world’s “Green Hydrogen Powerhouse”, as energy company Scatec will tell delegates at the event.
The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) is scheduled to take place from June 17 – 20 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The event’s theme is “Africa United,” aiming to unite African stakeholders and amplify their voice on the continent’s energy needs
“We see a significant potential for Africa to be the world’s dominant player in green hydrogen because of its abundant renewable energy resources (especially solar and wind). Africa, in principle, could have the cheapest source of energy in the future, forming a foundation for economic growth and global competitiveness,” says Alberto Gambacorta, Executive Vice President (Sub-Saharan Africa) for Scatec.
Gambacorta will be a speaker at the AEF this month, taking part in a panel discussion titled “Hydrogen: Africa’s leap into global markets” on day three of the conference (19 June).
Scatec CEO Terje Pilskog will also be a speaker at the conference, taking part in a discussion around “From MWs to GWs: Accelerating Deployment of Renewable Energy in the Region”. This panel is scheduled for 19 June and will look at topics such as establishing a supportive and resilient institutional framework: designing auctions, PPAs and regulations, grids: building the infrastructure required to meet the demands of the energy transition, mobilising donor funding, and harnessing private sector investment.
“We see hydrogen playing a major role in replacing existing power production based on conventional energy and in decarbonizing industries that are difficult to abate (such as heavy industry, shipping, and fertilizer production). Off-take agreements and initiatives like H2Global demonstrate the growing competitiveness and viability of green hydrogen production,” says Gambacorta.
He adds that the agenda for AEF shows a real understanding of the need for South Africa to pursue an energy future that emphasizes the need for a technology-agnostic and diversified approach. This mix includes solar, wind, battery storage, and hydrogen.
Scatec is positioning itself as a significant player in the green hydrogen space, particularly by leveraging Egypt’s strategic advantages and abundant renewable resources for large-scale production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
“While we have had a presence in smaller, pilot-scale hydrogen projects in South Africa, our main investments and announced projects in South Africa are currently centered on solar and battery storage solutions to address the country’s immediate energy needs.
“We are committed to driving renewable energy adoption and supporting sustainable economic growth in South Africa and beyond. We look forward to speaking at this year’s AEF as it aligns with our goals for energy security, climate action, and economic growth,” says Gambacorta.
