Call for 1 000 MW platinum fuel cell commitment at chamber unveiling

A call for platinum-rich South Africa to commit to 1 000 MW of platinum fuel cell-generated electricity by 2020 was made on Tuesday evening during the unveiling by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies of Africa’s first platinum fuel cell baseload power unit, which has been installed at the Chamber of Mines building in Johannesburg. Mashudu Ramano, chairperson of Mitochondria Energy, the black-led company responsible for the installation of the 100 kW unit that will cost the chamber 20% less than the going rate for electricity over a 15-year period, said the 1 000 MW commitment would help alleviate power insecurity, stimulate demand for platinum and set the country on the road to the local manufacture of fuel cells.