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.
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