- South Africa’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Dr Blade Nzimande, participated during the South African stopover of the Energy Observer laboratory vessel in Cape Town.
- This will also contribute to the South African social transformation, a just transition, and, more generally, to South Africa’s economy and environment.
South Africa’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Dr Blade Nzimande, participated during the South African stopover of the Energy Observer laboratory vessel in Cape Town. Developed by merchant navy officer and ocean racer Victorien Erussard, the Energy Observer is engaged in a seven-year journey worldwide to promote sustainable energy development.
The ceremony, which took place at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on 12 June, featured a series of presentations and an interactive and educational exhibition that served to demonstrate the development of renewable energies, green hydrogen, and an intelligent energy mix as a solution to South Africa’s ongoing energy transition. Hon. Minister Dr Nzimande stated, “The Energy Observer is an essential boat that mixes all kinds of energy, including hydrogen, solar, and wind, and this project is significant in terms of what is possible and what the future will be like. ”
The opening presentation featured the participation of Victorien Erussard, Captain and Founder of Energy Observer; David Martinon, Ambassador of France Designate to South Africa; Kadri Nassiep, Executive Director of Energy, City of Cape Town; Dr Thembakazi Mali, Senior Vice President for Research and Technology, Sasol; Ronnie Chalmers, Vice President for Africa, the Middle East and India, Air Liquide; and Noriyuki Tanaka, Project General Manager for Africa, Toyota.
Ambassador Martinon noted that the arrival of the Energy Observer to South Africa – the first vessel in the world capable of producing decarbonized hydrogen on board from seawater and using an energy mix relying on renewable energies – “points to France’s commitment to the African continent in advancing a durable energy transition.” Also, Chalmers said, “Air Liquide is actively supporting the development of renewable energies for the benefit of the South African electrical power system and the fight against global warming. This will also contribute to the South African social transformation, a just transition, and more generally to South Africa’s economy and environment.”