Sasol commissions South Africa's first homegrown hydrogen electrolyzer

Sasol Ltd., together with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the South African National Energy Development Institute and North‑West University, commissioned a 2‑kW proton‑exchange‑membrane (PEM) electrolyzer at its research and technology campus in Sasolburg. The event, attended by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nzimande, was presented as South Africa’s first locally built hydrogen electrolyzer and a step toward a net‑zero economy, highlighting the role of critical minerals such as platinum‑group metals.

In parallel, Sasol announced a collaboration with Chinese clean‑energy firm Envision Energy to carry out a design study for a larger green‑hydrogen system at the Sasolburg site. The study will evaluate the integration of renewable power, battery storage and AI‑enabled energy management to produce cost‑competitive green hydrogen for low‑carbon fuels such as e‑methanol and sustainable aviation fuel. Completion is expected later this year and will inform future investment decisions, supporting South Africa’s ambition to become an exporter of green hydrogen.