TNPA looking into hydrogen initiatives at South African ports

In support of South Africa’s transition into a low-carbon economy, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a request for information (RFI) for the development of a terminal facility and related facilities for hydrogen initiatives at its commercial seaports.

The RFI assesses the market interest in developing, designing, constructing, financing, operating and maintaining an import and export terminal for hydrogen initiatives, TNPA said, adding that this includes green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol and or grey hydrogen at the ports of Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth and Saldanha.

“The introduction of this initiative is part of TNPA’s strategic projects that enable just transition, making it a step closer to enabling greener shipping and decarbonization of the company’s marine fleet in order to remain globally competitive,” TNPA Sector Specialist, Renewable Energy, Amanda Makgoga, said.

According to TNPA, the project is also in line with the ‘Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa,’ approved by the South African Cabinet in 2021, and it also supports the ‘National Development Plan 2030,’ which advocates for increased investment in an energy sector that is both economically inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

To note, the RFI responses must be submitted to TNPA by no later than 4 p.m. on January 31, 2024.

TNPA is one of six operating divisions of Transnet SOC and is responsible for the “safe, effective and efficient” economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. It provides port infrastructure and marine services at eight commercial seaports in South Africa.

Click here to read more about hydrogen in South Africa.