Who We Are
The Hydrogen Industrialisation and Commercialisation Association (HICA) is an industry association in South Africa, representing leading organisations in advancing and accelerating the commercialisation and industrialisation of hydrogen energy. HICA provides an industry voice to government on policy, regulation, incentives, funding and investment to drive the adoption, demand and industrialisation of commercial ready hydrogen products. Our market analysis, market development, education, awareness and international collaboration aim to promote hydrogen as a clean, efficient, reliable source of energy and accelerate industrialisation, localisation and job creation.
Our Vision
To position South Africa as a global leader in the commercialisation, and widespread adoption of fuel cells, electrolysers and other related hydrogen products, systems and components, contributing to a secure, sustainable, low carbon, hydrogen based energy economy, and job creation in South Africa.
Our Mission
To accelerate the adoption, industrialisation and localisation of fuel cells, electrolysers and other hydrogen related products, systems and components, through coordinated, collaborative efforts in policy, regulation, market development, investment, partnerships, projects and awareness.
Our Objectives
1. Policy and Regulation Advocacy
1.1. Advocate for supportive policies, regulations, plans and incentives that facilitate product adoption and growth of the hydrogen industry.
1.2. Facilitate communication between industry and government on the implementation of policies, regulations, plans and incentives.
1.3. Advocate for international cooperation and standardisation to harmonise regulations.
2. Market Development
2.1. Engage with industry and government to obtain support for startup and established companies, to create a robust market for the adoption and commercialisation of fuel cells, electrolysers and other hydrogen related products, systems and components.
2.2. Support the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan, 2023 – 2027 (JETIP), the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy for South Africa, 2023 (GHCS) and the Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa, 2021 (HSRM).
2.3. Facilitate commercial projects and demonstration programmes to showcase real-world, shovel-ready applications and benefits.
3. Industrialisation
3.1. Promote the inclsusive, sustainable industrialisation, localisation, supply chain development and deployment of fuel cells, electrolysers and other related hydrogen products, systems and components.
3.2. Drive commercial deployment projects that enable and accelerate the adoption of fuel cells, electrolysers and other hydrogen related products, systems and components and growth of the industry in South Africa.
3.3. Stimulate national and international investment and localisation of commercial ready fuel cells, electrolysers and other hydrogen related products, systems and components in South Africa.
3.4. Support the skills development and knowledge transfer into the country to manufacture fuel cells, electrolysers and other hydrogen related commercial products, systems and components for local and export markets.
3.5. Drive the transition from a fossil based energy economy to a secure, sustainable, inclusive transformation to a low carbon, hydrogen based energy economy, ensuring that the benefits and opportunities are equitably shared across all segments of society.
4. Infrastructure Development
4.1. Develop and expand the infrastructure necessary for hydrogen production, storage, deployment and distribution, as well as fuel cell vehicle roll-outs.
5. Collaboration and Partnerships
5.1. Strengthen collaboration among industry stakeholders, government agencies, and international partners to share knowledge, resources, and best practices and to advance the adoption, industrialisation, commercialisation and localisation of hydrogen products.
5.2. To position the region as a leader in the hydrogen industry by particpting in global forums and initiatives.
6. Public Awareness and Education
6.1. Increase public awareness and understanding of hydrogen products, technologies, applications, commercial readiness, opportunities and benefits, through education and outreach programs.
6.2. Provide a platform for information exchange, networking and professional development in hydrogen.
6.3. Assist with the development of safety, standards and educational resources, and technical and commercial information on hydrogen to the public and government organisations.
Leadership
Angelin Maharaj
Angelin Maharaj is the President of CHEM Energy SA (Pty) Ltd., a world class hydrogen fuel cell company in South Africa, which manufactures fuel cell power generators for backup and primary power in telecommunications, rural electrification and other critical power, in weak and off-grid applications. CHEM Energy is subsidiary of CHEM Corporation, a global leader in hydrogen infrastructure for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and stationary, low and high, power fuel cells. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Angelin works closely with the leading telcos to advance the adoption of fuel cell power generators as a reliable, clean, cost effective alternative to diesel generators, and with governments on rural electrification, using fuel cells and microgrids. Angelin worked at Anglo American where he focused on the market development of technologies and products including platinum group metals (PGM), catalysts, fuel cells, hydrogen infrastructure, energy storage, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, medical devices and others, through funding and investments in research and development, commercial projects, early stage and mature businesses, and international partnerships and collaboration and government engagement; which has contributed to foreign direct investments that are anchors, cornerstones and key enablers to achieving the vision of a new, clean, sustainable, global hydrogen energy economy. Angelin also served on technical advisory committees at Hydrogen South Africa and other government steering committees. Angelin started his vocation at Dow Chemicals as a process engineer, and has 15 years of experience in process safety, design and engineering operations, global sales and marketing, and corporate leadership. As an executive at a leading petrochemicals company, he led the company’s growth and sustainability strategy, with new, innovative, products in new markets. Angelin has a BSc Chemical Engineering degree and a Master in Business Administration degree.
Hal Koyama
Harol (Hal) Koyama is CEO of H2 PowerTech LLC focused on developing hydrogen production and fuel cell power generation products capable of competing with traditional power generation systems, such as diesel generators, for grid-connected backup power and off-grid primary power applications. He is also a Director for CHEM Energy SA, a state of the art fuel cell manufacturing company in South Africa and Executive Director for Sunhydro, Inc,. a world leading hydrogen and fuel cell development and manufacturing joint venture in China. Hal has experience managing both public and private companies, working across a wide range of power generation technologies, from fuel cells and micro turbines to thermal and nuclear power plants in development, production and sales in the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. He has worked with both start up companies such as Capstone Turbine Corp and large multinationals, such as United Technologies Corporation. Mr. Koyama also has over five years of experience as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, focusing on energy and operations issues. He has also served in the United States Navy as a nuclear submarine officer, and as a member of the US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC) to the United States Secretary of Energy. Mr. Koyama holds a degree in Physics & Mathematics from the University of Oregon, a Masters Equivalent in Nuclear Engineering from the Naval Nuclear Power Training program and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Mashudu Ramano
Mashudu Ramano is a sustainability entrepreneur who has been involved in the development and transformation of t a number o of sectors in the South African Economy including energy, water, food logistics and storage, mineral beneficiation and financial services among others. In the energy sector Through his holding company Sustainable Ethical Solutions Holdings, Mashudu has been active in developing and promoting the introduction of the hydrogen economy into South Africa since 2007 and in this regard founded the Mitochondria Energy Group. He also founded Singamati (we water) Holdings which conducted a water balance study of the SADC region. Mashudu has extensive experience in business in both listed and unlisted companies as well as private and public entities in South Africa. He is a former Chairman of the Airports Company South Africa, Astron Energy South Africa formerly Chevron South Africa, , Johnnic Communications, African Legend Investments, African Harvest among others and director of Transnet, Johnnic Industrial Holdings and Coronation Holdings. In the 1980’s and 1990’s Mashudu served as a leader of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) Gauteng, and Nafcoc Secretary General, was the the Executive Director of ABASA- the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants (ABASA) as well as the South African representative of the global accountancy body, the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) between 1991 and 2000. Mashudu is a Sustainability Practitioner and a member of the Association of Sustainability Practitioners (ASP UK) . He is a student of Sustainability and Ancient Esoteric Wisdom. He Studied Sustainability at Schumacher College, Cambridge University and an MSc in Sustainability and Responsibility at Ashridge Hult Business School UK. He also completed certificate studies at Harvard University on Leading Economic Growth, at Macquarie University on Big History – a transdisciplinary history of the universe from the Big-Bang to Modern Times and Becoming Human – a programme in Anthropology. Mashudu is also currently enrolled with Ubiquity University (USA) for a PhD in Wisdom Studies. Mashudu was until recently a Senior Associate at the Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Among several recognitions and awards Mashudu has been recognized by the Black Management Forum (BMF) as a Champion of Black Economic Empowerment (1999), The Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP) as a Pioneer of Black Economic Empowerment (2001), The Black Management Forum as The Business Personality of the Year (2018) and The BPI Foundation for the BPI Iconic Business and Leadership Excellence Award (2019) in South Africa..
Vinay Somera
Vinay Somera is the founder and CEO of Isondo Precious Metals (IPM). He has more than 30 years of experience within the platinum and associated industries. Vinay worked for Impala Platinum (Pty) Ltd for 25 years across many functional areas, and finally serving as the Implats Group Executive: Market Development and Strategy. While at Implats, he helped create and build Impala Refining Services (IRS), a subsidiary of Implats, from a zero base into a 1-million-ounce platinum refiner with a multi-billion-rand turnover over a ten-year period. A strong proponent of value addition to precious metals in South Africa, he left Implats in 2013 and founded IPM to help create a precious metals beneficiation industry underpinning the green hydrogen opportunity. IPM has built a state-of-the-art facility to manufacture membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) and precious metals catalysts as well as catalyst precursors at an industrial scale for fuel cells and electrolysers. IPM has also developed a project to deploy hydrogen refuelling stations and up to 800 fuel cell truck and buses based on the company’s access to 7000 kg per day of hydrogen in the Johannesburg area. Vinay has a BSc degree in Mathematics and Chemistry, as well as a BCom (Hons) degree. He also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.