Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science and Innovation and China’s National Institute of Clean and Low Carbon Energy (NICE) Vice-President, Minghui Zhang, are discussing potential areas of cooperation in renewable energy technology, hydrogen energy, and carbon capture and storage.
Minister Nzimande is a member of the delegation accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa on his state visit to President Xi Jinping, which includes participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing from 2 to 5 September.
The two met to identify initiatives in which Chinese and South African industry and academic institutions might collaborate to create and execute renewable energy solutions.
Nzimande said “South Africa is finalising its new Medium-Term Development Plan, focusing on promoting rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation, and on ensuring energy security and a just energy transition.”
The Ministry supports the Medium-Term Development Plan through the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan, which includes a focus on energy innovation.
Flagship energy programmes on renewable energy, focus on solar and wind power, hydrogen energy, energy storage, and carbon capture, storage and use.
The next step, is for a delegation from NICE to visit South Africa, to discuss plans for cooperation with the South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Picture: Supplied