Air Liquide South Africa, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) and the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) today announced the official launch of the Wits – South Africa Hydrogen Localisation Initiative (Wits-SAHLI). This ZAR100 million initiative, funded by Air Liquide, is dedicated to building the research capacity and local expertise required to contribute to South Africa’s just energy transition towards a low-carbon hydrogen economy.
Wits-SAHLI will establish a modular pilot hydrogen plant on Wits University’s West Campus. More than a research site, this "living laboratory" is designed to support applied research and teaching, on-campus testing of hydrogen applications and provide a de-risked entry point for industry partners to explore hydrogen solutions.
The facility utilizes a 110kW electrolyser to convert water and renewable electricity into low-carbon hydrogen. With a storage capacity of 200kg, the plant can later reconvert this stored hydrogen into clean power, delivering a total electrical output of up to 200kW during peak operation. This project is a direct response to the national call for re-industrialisation and serves as a platform for collaboration beyond the university, supporting South Africa’s broader hydrogen ambitions.
Wits-SAHLI is scheduled to be operational by 2028 and forms part of Air Liquide’s multi-year investment programme supporting the decarbonisation of South Africa.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice Chancellor and Principal of Wits University said: “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.”
Nicolas Poirot, CEO of Air Liquide for Africa, Middle East and India stated: “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.”
Nkululeko Magadla, CEO of Air Liquide South Africa, added: “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 a tangible demonstration of our commitment to the decarbonisation of South Africa and the empowerment of a local ecosystem. It also represents a key milestone in fulfilling our public interest commitments following the 2021 acquisition of Sasol’s Air Separation Units.”
Irshaad Kathrada, CEO at LSF concluded: "Wits-SAHLI is a model public-private partnership that will build a competitive local supply chain for the low-carbon hydrogen sector from the ground up. By focusing on empowering South African companies, we are ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are shared broadly, fostering inclusive growth and industrial capacity.”