ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green H₂ plants worldwide, and the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), a government-owned Development Finance Institution, signed an extensive MoU exploring a partnership in the development of green H₂ and its derivatives in the Republic of South Africa.

This partnership coincides with the state visit of the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The agreement was digitally signed by Paddy Padmanathan, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power; Clive Turton, Chief Investment Officer of ACWA Power; Rian Coetzee, Head of Industry Planning and Project Development at IDC; and Russell Wallace, Manager of Legal Services at IDC, with agreement copies exchanged at a gathering attended by executive dignitaries.

This is the first agreement of its kind between ACWA Power and the IDC, but the parties have previously collaborated for equity in a renewable energy plant in South Africa. The potential value of this MoU is estimated at $10 B. ACWA Power will function as the developer for green H₂ and its derivatives in South Africa, with the IDC acting as co-developer and equity partner in the proposed projects.

“With tangible renewable energy development commitments in South Africa already contributing to the country’s clean energy goals, the signing of the MOU with the IDC for the development of green H₂ is a significant step towards further investing in diversifying the country’s energy mix and accelerating its green economy,” said Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of ACWA Power.

“As a company that is driving energy transition, ACWA Power is proud to work closely with the IDC with whom we share a robust working history, and today we are delighted to take our collaboration further. I am confident that our expertise in developing mega-scale green H₂ projects in other geographies will enable us to successfully create a new avenue of sustainable energy generation, one that will pave the path to further progress” he added.

South Africa has a net zero target for 2050 and plans to become a significant producer and exporter of green H₂ and its derivatives. Accordingly, the government has mandated the IDC to lead the development and commercialization of the green H₂ economy. The IDC, in partnership with the Green H₂ Panel, is in the process of finalizing the South African Green H₂ Commercialization Strategy (GHCS).

“The IDC recognizes the substantial value and benefits that the green H₂ economy will bring to South Africa. The green H₂ economy presents new economic, skills, employment and community opportunities for the country. We are pleased to explore potential partnership opportunities with ACWA Power, given its pedigree and expertise in this industry,” said Joanne Bate, Chief Operating Officer, IDC.

The IDC is currently supporting the development of several catalytic projects in the green H₂ value chain including green H₂ and ammonia production, mobility projects and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors using green H₂. IDC is also exploring bespoke funding solutions with co-funders for green H₂ projects and supporting the required regulatory and policy changes to foster a conducive environment for the development of this new green H₂ industry for South Africa.

Given ACWA Power’s experience in the South African renewable energy industry and in green H₂ projects abroad, the company can play a meaningful role in supporting the objectives of the GHCS. Both parties will carry out a feasibility study, potentially cooperate, jointly develop and co-invest in projects in the green H₂ value chain in South Africa. This MoU with ACWA Power will support the implementation of the GHCS and will contribute towards the country’s green H₂ production targets.

ACWA Power has had a footprint in South Africa since 2016, and currently has two solar energy plants—Bokpoort and Redstone—in the country. Both projects utilize concentrated solar power technology.

With key projects in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the company is ramping up green H₂ projects at scale in different locations globally.

The NEOM Green H₂ Company, a joint venture with ACWA Power, NEOM and Air Products, is developing the world’s largest green H₂ project in Saudi Arabia. When commissioned in 2026, it will produce up to 650 tpd of green H₂. By that date, the project will mitigate the impact of 3 MMtpy of CO₂.

In addition, ACWA Power, as part of a joint venture, also recently signed a Joint Development Agreement towards a multi-billion-dollar investment in a world-scale green H₂-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy in Oman; as well as two MoU in South Korea with different industrial partners.