PRESS RELEASE: SolydEra and Mitochondria Energy Systems sign landmark Collaboration Agreement for the development and commercialisation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems in South Africa
PERGINE VALSUGANA, Italy and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 11th 2024 – SolydEra and Mitochondria announce the signing of a significant agreement for the development and supply of a state-of-the-art Solid Oxide Fuel Cell system to provide reliable, clean power for the distributed power market.
With the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area in sight, the 50kW containerized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell system represents a leap forward in South Africa and Africa’s power sector where the availability of clean and reliable electricity supply and grid infrastructure to distribute energy remains constrained.
To address both current and future electricity demands, it is crucial to modernize Africa’s electricity infrastructure to promote inclusive growth and sustainable development in the continent. Mitochondria has been investigating distributed, decentralized power systems as an alternative energy solution for commercial applications.
Under the Collaboration Agreement, SolydEra will develop and supply the first complete power-generating system to Mitochondria from its facilities in Italy. In a second phase, part of the value chain will migrate to South Africa including the transfer of know-how from SolydEra to Mitochondria and the supply of the critical solid oxide power modules forming the heart of the 50 kW systems. In the third phase, Mitochondria will assemble its Multi kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System at the Mitochondria Campus, its assembly and manufacturing facility in the Vaal Special Economic Zone, Vaal Gauteng. The opportunity will unlock significant socioeconomic development in the region providing up to 282 jobs in year one of operations. Along this journey, SolydEra will remain the exclusive stack partner to Mitochondria.
The deployment of this Agreement commenced in December 2024 and the collaboration is set to deliver significant value to many stakeholders in South Africa and Africa. Benefits include enhanced energy security, reduced emissions, and support for the transition to a low-carbon economy in South Africa. Further, the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell will generate a cost-competitive base load electricity supply to the market. The localization of component supply will enable a new industry formation in South Africa and support the hydrogen infrastructure aspirations of the country.
“We are proud to partner with Mitochondria on this groundbreaking project,” said Alexander Liberov, CEO of SolydEra. “This agreement, which opens long-term perspectives, highlights our shared vision for advanced energy solutions that benefit society and promote a greener future and it represents a significant step in our company’s growth strategy”.
Mashudu Ramano, founder and CEO of Mitochondria, said: “The agreement with SolydEra, provides a platform for collaboration between South Africa and the European Union to address a major challenge facing the African economy. There are no developed or growing economies in the world that has insufficient energy infrastructure. 860 million people in Africa have no access to modern energy services. and we are honored to usher this new and yet old energy technology and solution with the most abundant element in the universe: hydrogen!! There can be no better badge of honor bestowed on a company better than being part of introducing hydrogen energy and the hydrogen economy in Africa.”
About SolydEra
SolydEra is a key world player in the market of Solid Oxide Cells, Stacks and Solutions, with the largest annual production capacity in Europe. Its Solid Oxide Technology has a proven track record and delivers best in class performance and durability in both fuel cell and electrolysis mode. The company has research & development and industrial manufacturing facilities in Italy, Switzerland, and Australia. Its headquarters is in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy.
Visit www.solydera.com
About Mitochondria Energy Systems
Welcome to the Mitochondria Energy Era – the home of decentralized, distributed and onsite energy generation! Mitochondria Energy Systems is a provider of bespoke energy software and energy technology to power the Hydrogen Economy in South Africa, Africa and beyond.
Visit www.mitochondria.co.za
Media Contacts
Francesca Gaviraghi
+39 0461 1755092
Kutama Arifa Ramano
+27 83 266 5559