The Scramble for Green Hydrogen in South Africa: Screening and Discussion

Key Takeaways

• UK targets 10GW green hydrogen capacity by 2030
• Over £2bn ($2.5bn) funding allocated to domestic projects
• Production depends on platinum group metals from South Africa
• Mining drives displacement, water scarcity, and energy poverty locally
• Activists call for climate‑justice assessment of hydrogen expansion

Summary

The UK will host the UK premiere of the documentary “The Scramble for Hydrogen in South Africa” on 5 May 2026, spotlighting the nation’s aggressive green‑hydrogen agenda. Britain aims for 10 GW of production by 2030, backed by over £2 billion (≈ $2.5 billion) in funding for domestic electrolyser projects. The film reveals that this push relies heavily on platinum‑group metals mined by Anglo American in South Africa and Zimbabwe, triggering community displacement, water scarcity and energy poverty. Campaigners will discuss whether green hydrogen truly serves climate goals or entrenches new injustices.

Pulse Analysis

The United Kingdom has positioned green hydrogen as a cornerstone of its net‑zero roadmap, pledging 10 gigawatts of production capacity by 2030. This ambition translates into more than £2 billion (approximately $2.5 billion) of public and private investment earmarked for electrolyser clusters in Bradford, Barrow, Teesside and other industrial hubs. While the target would make the UK a leading exporter of low‑carbon fuel, the scale‑up hinges on a supply chain that extends far beyond British borders, particularly for the platinum group metals (PGMs) required to catalyse water‑splitting reactions.

PGMs are overwhelmingly sourced from Anglo American’s mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe, regions already grappling with legacy mining impacts. Communities near these operations report forced relocations, dwindling water tables, and rising energy poverty as mining expands to meet European hydrogen demand. The documentary ‘The Scramble for Hydrogen in South Africa’ foregrounds these grievances, arguing that the purported climate benefits of green hydrogen may be offset by new social and environmental costs abroad. Campaigners such as Yegeshni Moodley and Pascoe Sabido stress that a climate‑justice lens is essential to evaluate the true sustainability of the sector.

Policymakers and investors now face a choice: accelerate hydrogen deployment without safeguards, or embed rigorous due‑diligence standards that protect vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Transparent sourcing certifications, mandatory impact assessments, and revenue‑sharing mechanisms could mitigate displacement and water stress while preserving the climate upside of hydrogen. As the UK prepares for the documentary screening in London, the event underscores the need for a holistic approach that aligns energy security with ethical mining practices. Only by reconciling these dimensions can green hydrogen deliver on its promise without reproducing the extractive injustices of the past.