ENERGY

Sustainable Energy Shift

TDS - Kirtan Bhana

27 October 2024

The recent fact-finding mission, organized under Germany’s German Energy Solutions Initiative, took South African and Namibian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on a tour across Germany, focusing on green energy innovations and renewable energy practices. From October 14-18, 2024, the delegation, with the participation from Percy Koji, CEO of South Africa's Hosano Green Energy, explored Germany’s advancements in clean energy technologies, green hydrogen production, and climate-neutral industrial processes. This initiative aimed to foster knowledge exchange and forge partnerships that would support South Africa’s and Namibia’s shift to sustainable energy infrastructures.

Mission Background and Goals
The mission, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), was conducted in collaboration with eclareon GmbH and the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It aimed to introduce South African and Namibian delegates to innovative German green energy technologies and provide insights into self-sustained renewable energy solutions and decarbonisation strategies. This initiative is part of Germany’s broader plan to position its climate-friendly technology on the global stage, ultimately fostering new business relationships, enhancing industry cooperation, and supporting climate protection goals.

Percy Koji and Hosano Green Energy’s Role
Percy Koji, leading South Africa’s Hosano Green Energy, played a significant role in advocating for renewable energy's transformative potential. Under the banner, "Energy is everything and it is everywhere," Koji emphasized the potential of renewable energy in Africa, aligning with his company’s mission of utilizing sustainable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions. Through Hosano Green Energy, Koji is pursuing energy projects that leverage natural resources like solar and wind to establish South Africa as a clean energy hub. His participation highlighted Hosano’s ongoing commitment to integrating innovative energy solutions within the African continent’s sustainable development framework.

Program Highlights and Visits
1.    German Energy Solutions Initiative Overview: Delegates began their mission by attending briefings by key figures, such as Jana Salcedo from eclareon, who introduced the German Energy Solutions Initiative. This session provided insight into how Germany’s technological advancements and policies are shaping its energy sector’s transformation toward sustainability.
2.    Hydrogen and Green Methanol Projects: Delegates explored WAVE H2, a hydrogen research platform, and visited various hydrogen production sites. Presentations highlighted how hydrogen fuels sectors like transportation and industry, aiming for an eco-friendly, hydrogen-based economy. Notably, Christoph Heinermann of Libalele Energy discussed the establishment of a green methanol corridor in South Africa, demonstrating the potential for cross-continental partnerships in renewable energy.
3.    Best Practice Sites:
o    ETA-Fabrik, Darmstadt: This facility showcased energy-efficient manufacturing practices, where Koji and other delegates observed Germany’s integration of buildings and machinery into a cohesive, resource-efficient system. The ETA factory’s approach to energy flexibility in production underlined a model that Koji could potentially adapt for Hosano’s projects.
o    De Nora Deutschland GmbH, Rodenbach: As a leader in electrochemical technologies, De Nora demonstrated their electrode technology and water treatment solutions. Delegates gained insight into the practical applications of renewable energy in industrial processes, broadening the scope of solutions Hosano might implement for South African industries.
o    Thyssenkrupp Steel, Duisburg: Thyssenkrupp Steel’s low-carbon steel production, using green electricity and hydrogen, represented a major industrial shift towards climate-neutral manufacturing. This model could significantly influence Koji’s strategies at Hosano Green Energy, especially in implementing energy-efficient technologies in South Africa’s steel industry.
o    Duisport, Duisburg: This world-renowned inland port demonstrated its role as a logistics hub with green hydrogen initiatives, reinforcing the potential for hydrogen as a fuel source in logistics, a sector critical to Africa's supply chain. This visit emphasized the scope of hydrogen applications beyond energy, hinting at new possibilities for Hosano’s logistics strategies.
4.    H2POWERPLANT by WILO, Dortmund: The WILO H2POWERPLANT illustrated an innovative hydrogen production model that stores and converts green electricity back into hydrogen for on-demand use. Percy Koji, with his experience in sustainable energy, was particularly interested in the plant’s approach to optimizing energy storage and distribution—a priority for Hosano Green Energy in stabilizing South Africa’s energy grid.
Strategic Outcomes and Potential Partnerships

This mission proved invaluable for the participating South African and Namibian companies by enabling them to assess the compatibility of German technology with their local energy needs. For Percy Koji, the exposure to Germany’s advanced green energy landscape offered both immediate tactical insights and potential long-term partnerships that could support Hosano Green Energy’s ambitions. With German companies like De Nora and Thyssenkrupp expressing interest in international collaboration, the groundwork has been laid for partnerships in technology transfer, financing, and sustainable development projects across Africa.
Germany’s commitment to a carbon-neutral economy by 2045 resonated deeply with Koji’s vision for Hosano. Through this mission, Hosano Green Energy is now better equipped to implement comprehensive renewable energy solutions that can address the unique challenges in South Africa, including unreliable power supply and high carbon emissions.

The fact-finding mission to Germany has catalyzed potential green energy transformations for South African and Namibian companies. For Percy Koji and Hosano Green Energy, this mission underscored the importance of innovative technology, collaboration, and an adaptable energy infrastructure. The knowledge and partnerships gained promise to empower Hosano Green Energy in its drive toward a cleaner, resilient energy landscape in South Africa, serving as a model for other African nations aspiring to sustainable development through green energy.