Question NW586 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
19 March 2021 - NW586
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
With reference to the statements by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, regarding hydrogen fuel cell technology and deployment in line with the Hydrogen South Africa Strategy, (a) which schools and hospitals are currently using hydrogen fuel cell technology to provide electricity, (b) what amount of electricity is generated in each case and (c) what are the future plans and timelines for implementation of hydrogen fuel cells at other government facilities? NW642E
Reply:
a) As part of government’s response to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary fuel cell system was deployed at 1 Military Hospital in Gauteng, which is utilised to support the Department of Defence. There is also one installed at the Science Center in Comimvaba (Eastern Cape).
b) The Seven Hydrogen Fuel Cells temporarily deployed at 1 Military Hospital has a total installed capacity of 35kW. The fuel cells deployed at a Science Centre in the Eastern Cape has a capacity of 5kW.
c) Post July 2021, the fuel systems currently at 1 Military Hospital will be redeployed as follows:
- One fuel cell system will remain at 1 Military Hospital for use by the Department of Defence (DOD) for training purposes;
- One fuel cell system at Mandeni Local Municipality, ILembe District in KZN, with a connection to the Youth Centre and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) Stalls;
- One fuel cell system at MINTEK with a connection to the Home Affairs offices in Randburg;
- One fuel cell system at Masia Village in Limpopo;
- One fuel cell system at the Department of Science and Innovation;
- One fuel cell system at the Trevenna Building, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
There is also ongoing work to incorporate the deployment of fuel cells in public buildings through the existing policy instruments, which include Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) grant programme and the Public Works and Infrastructure Green Building Policy.