Cape Town, South Africa | 15 September 2026
South Africa has unveiled the First Wave of green hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) projects and launched the country’s inaugural Green Hydrogen Deal Book, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the Green Hydrogen CommercialisationStrategy and the development of a pipeline of investment-ready projects.
Announced at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit, the First Wave showcases six pioneering projects across key green hydrogen value chains, including sustainable fuels, industrial decarbonisation and green manufacturing. The projects form part of a broader portfolio featured in the inaugural Green Hydrogen Deal Book, which presents investors, financiers, technology partners and offtakers with a curated view of opportunities emerging across South Africa’s hydrogen economy.
The Deal Book has been developed through the GH₂ Programme of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) andprovides a structured platform for engagement between project developers and potential investors. By bringing together projects atdifferent stages of development, it demonstrates the scale, diversity and growing maturity of South Africa’s green hydrogen pipeline.
The First Wave represents an initial cohort of projects that have participated in the PtX Project Development Standard (PtX PDS), a government-supported framework designed to strengthen project preparation, improve transparency and support investment readiness. Together, the PtX PDS and the Deal Book provide practical mechanisms for translating South Africa’s green hydrogenambitions into implementation.
Based on the assessment outcomes, six projects emerged as leading opportunities in South Africa’s current green hydrogen pipeline, spanning export-oriented developments, domestic industrialisation and energy transition applications:
- Coega Green Ammonia Project
- Saldanha Hydrogen Direct Reduced Iron Project
- Phelan Green Group’s Project Saldanha
- Prieska Power Reserve Project
- Green e-Fuels Producers
- Green Hydrogen Solutions.
Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, said the launch signals South Africa’s readiness to move from strategy to execution.
“The First Wave of projects and the inaugural Green Hydrogen Deal Book signal South Africa’s readiness to translate strategyinto implementation. Together, they provide investors with visibility of a growing pipeline of commercially viable opportunities that can support industrial development, localisation, export growth and the country’s broader economic objectives.”
The green hydrogen sector has been identified as a strategic opportunity to support industrial diversification, attract investment, create jobs, open new export markets and advance South Africa’s decarbonisation objectives. The country’s renewable energy resources, industrial base, mineral endowments and strategic location provide a strong foundation for the development of a competitive green hydrogen economy.
Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy, said the First Wave demonstrates the progress being made in turning policy commitments into tangible projects.
“South Africa has laid important foundations for the development of a green hydrogen economy. The First Wave of projects demonstrates how these foundations are beginning to translate into implementation, while the Deal Book provides a platform to connect investment-ready opportunities with strategic partners, financiers and global markets.”
The Deal Book also serves as an important planning and coordination tool. It provides a consolidated view of the emerging projectpipeline, helping government, investors and development partners identify common infrastructure requirements, investment opportunities and areas for collaboration across the hydrogen value chain.
Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), said the First Wave reflects the growing maturity of South Africa’s hydrogen ecosystem.
“South Africa stands at an important moment in the development of a new industrial opportunity. The First Wave of projectsreflects the growing maturity of the sector, while the Deal Book demonstrates the breadth of opportunities emerging across the hydrogen value chain.”
The IDC, together with national government and development partners, has played a central role in supporting the development of South Africa’s green hydrogen ecosystem through project preparation, investment mobilisation, technical support and the advancement of key enabling frameworks.
As additional projects progress through the PtX Project Development Standard process, future waves are expected to strengthen the pipeline of bankable opportunities supporting industrial growth, job creation and South Africa’s position in global hydrogen markets.
ENDS
About the Green Hydrogen Deal Book
The South African Green Hydrogen Deal Book is a curated portfolio of green hydrogen and Power-to-X investment opportunities. It provides investors and strategic partners with information on projects across the hydrogen value chain and supports engagementwith South Africa’s growing project pipeline.
About the PtX Project Development Standard
The PtX Project Development Standard is a structured framework designed to support project readiness assessments, improve transparency and strengthen the development of investable green hydrogen and Power-to-X projects in South Africa.
Notes to Editors: For media enquiries, please contact Mr. Collins Nyamadzawo, JET IP GH₂ PMO: collinsn@idc.co.za