2026-02 – New hydrogen plant at Wits University to energy analysis

27 February 2026 – Wits University

Wits University will quickly host a working hydrogen plant on putting college students and researchers on the centre of South Africa’s transfer in the direction of cleaner power.

Funded by Air Liquide, and in partnership with Wits University and the Localisation Support Fund, the Wits-South Africa Hydrogen Localisation Initiative (Wits-SAHLI) will construct a modular R100 million pilot hydrogen plant that may function hydrogen manufacturing, educating, analysis and testing facility.

The Localisation Support Fund (LSF) was established in 2021 as a non-profit firm and public profit organisation to speed up industrialisation in South Africa by driving strategic localisation. By strengthening native manufacturing capabilities and eradicating boundaries to competitiveness, LSF ensures that South African corporations can scale, innovate, and combine into world markets.

The Wits-SAHLI plant will use water and photo voltaic power to provide hydrogen via the method of electrolysis. At full operation, it would produce about 2.2 kilogrammes of hydrogen per hour and can be capable to retailer as much as 200 kilogrammes of hydrogen on website. The hydrogen can be utilized for campus power wants, campus transport tasks comparable to hydrogen-powered autos, and for testing by trade companions. The plant is anticipated to be totally operational in 2028.

Professor Rodney Genga, Wits-SAHLI design workforce lead, says the power will change how college students study and the way analysis is completed.

“This is not a laboratory experiment. It is a working plant on a university campus,” he says. “Our students will learn in a real operating environment. They will see how hydrogen is produced, stored and used at scale. That kind of exposure builds confidence and skills that South Africa urgently needs.”

The plant will help utilized analysis throughout engineering, science and commerce. It may also give postgraduate college students alternatives to work on sensible options linked to power storage, clear transport and industrial use of hydrogen.

Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, says the initiative strengthens the college’s position in shaping the nation’s power future.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of driving innovation that addresses the critical challenges of our time. Wits-SAHLI aligns perfectly with our mission to advance the frontiers of knowledge, produce world-class research and nurture talent that will build new industries and lead in the global green economy, for good.”

South Africa’s Hydrogen Society Roadmap goals to place the nation as a serious producer of inexperienced hydrogen by 2030, with a goal of as much as 500 000 tonnes to assist lower emissions in transport and trade. Projects comparable to Wits-SAHLI are anticipated to construct the talents and native provide chains wanted to satisfy that objective.

Nicolas Poirot, CEO of Air Liquide for Africa, Middle East and India, says investing in analysis and coaching is crucial.

“We are excited to be investing in this project, which is truly part of a knowledge transfer approach. By bringing Air Liquide’s 60 years of global hydrogen expertise to Wits-SAHLI, we are providing South Africa with the technical expertise needed to lead the continent’s energy transition.”

For college students, the plant will open new studying routes. Courses can combine sensible hydrogen coaching, whereas analysis tasks can transfer from idea to real-world testing on campus. Industry companions may also be capable to check hydrogen functions with out the price of constructing their very own manufacturing amenities.

Nkululeko Magadla, CEO of Air Liquide Southern Africa, says the main target is on constructing native functionality.

“Our goal is to ensure that as the hydrogen economy grows, South Africa is equipped with a home-grown workforce and a competitive network of local suppliers. Wits-SAHLI is yet another tangible demonstration of our commitment to the decarbonisation of South Africa while empowering a local ecosystem,” he mentioned.

Irshaad Kathrada, CEO of LSF, says the partnership ensures that the advantages of recent power industries are shared extensively.

“Wits-SAHLI is a mannequin public-private partnership that may construct a aggressive native provide chain for the inexperienced hydrogen sector from the bottom up. By specializing in empowering South African corporations, we’re guaranteeing that the advantages of the power transition are shared broadly, fostering inclusive development and industrial capability.”