Up to now, the green hydrogen space has been heavily concentrated at the big end of things. But that could now change because of the availability of a special toolkit aimed at making green hydrogen an enhancer of community development as well.

The development agency GIZ has put out a Call for Expression of Interest from private companies to use what it describes as its practical, user-friendly, and customisable community development toolkit to underpin green hydrogen projects within a community development context. GIZ is trying to see to it that community development is not left out of the global move towards zero-emission living – and deserves a pat on the back for doing so.

While companies involved in zero-emission projects typically have extensive expertise in renewable energies, green energy and green infrastructure, their projects have not emphasised community development to the extent that GIZ is doing now. The toolkit is advertised as something that will lead to improved green community development practices, which is key if South Africa is to make inroads into the green hydrogen economy in a credible manner.