Sasol has appointed China’s Envision Energy to undertake a design study for a green hydrogen system at its Sasolburg operations, as the South African chemicals and energy company evaluates options to produce lower-carbon fuels and chemicals.
The collaboration was highlighted during a visit by South African Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to Envision’s Chifeng Hydrogen Net Zero Industrial Park in Inner Mongolia during the South Africa-China Energy Investment Conference.
The design study will assess the integration of renewable energy generation, battery energy storage and electrolyser technologies to support green hydrogen production.
Subject to the outcome of the study and future investment decisions, the hydrogen could be used to produce e-methanol and potentially sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) at Sasolburg.
Sasol said it is evaluating opportunities to leverage its existing industrial infrastructure while assessing technologies that could support its energy transition strategy and future market opportunities.
“The design study with Envision is an important step in assessing how integrated renewables, energy storage and electrolyser technologies could support cost-competitive green hydrogen production at Sasolburg. By drawing on leading global expertise, we can evaluate how these technologies may contribute to future lower-carbon fuel and chemical value chains, while building on Sasol’s existing industrial capabilities,” Danie Cronje, Sasol’s senior vice president, said.
Kane Xu, Envision Energy’s senior vice president and president of the international product line, said green hydrogen would play an important role in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries.
“Green hydrogen will play a critical role in reshaping hard-to-abate industries and creating new pathways for sustainable growth. Through AI-powered energy infrastructure and technologies across renewables, storage and green hydrogen, Envision is working with global partners like Sasol to accelerate industrial transformation,” Xu said.
Envision said its proposed solution combines renewable energy generation, battery energy storage systems and electrolysers to optimise green hydrogen production based on projected energy availability and electricity prices.
The design study is expected to be completed later this year and will provide the technical and commercial information needed to assess the project’s next phase.
The companies said the collaboration reflects growing cooperation between South Africa and China on energy innovation and the assessment of technologies that could support industrial decarbonisation and lower-carbon energy solutions.




Founded in 2006, Genser Energy has grown into one of West Africa’s integrated energy companies, supplying electricity to industrial customers and utilities while investing in natural gas infrastructure.
Before Oppenheimer Partners’ investment, the company had developed five operating power plants and a 325-km natural gas pipeline network, becoming a key supplier of energy to Ghana’s industrial sector.
During the investment period, Genser expanded its infrastructure by adding about 110 km of natural gas pipeline, constructing a 200 million standard cubic feet per day gas conditioning plant in Prestea and entering Côte d’Ivoire through cross-border electricity exports.
“This transaction marks an important milestone for Genser Energy and reflects the strength of the business we have built over the past two decades,” Baafour Asiamah Adjei, the company’s founder, president and chief executive, said.
Chairman Nana Osae Nyampong said the buyback would enable the company to focus on its next phase of growth.
“As we look ahead, we remain focused on expanding our regional presence and creating long-term value for our customers, communities, employees and shareholders,” Nyampong said.
The transaction comes as infrastructure investors increasingly target Africa’s energy sector, where rising industrial demand and regional power integration are driving investment in gas pipelines, power generation and cross-border electricity trade.
Genser said it remains positioned for further expansion through continued investment in strategic energy infrastructure across West Africa.
The company operates more than 310 megawatts of installed generation capacity and owns a 436-km privately developed natural gas pipeline network in Ghana.
It is also completing major midstream projects, including a gas conditioning plant and a natural gas liquids export terminal, while supplying power to industrial customers and utilities and participating in regional electricity exports.