One of Impala's fuel cell forklifts

South Africa's hydrogen fuel cell industry has received a boost with the unveiling of a prototype hydrogen fuel cell forklift and refuelling station at Impala Refining Services in Springs, east of Johannesburg.

AllAfrica reports that over the past three years, Impala Platinum Holdings has funded HySA Systems to enable the prototype development. Impala plans to use hydrogen fuel cell technology as its main source of energy for materials handling and underground mining equipment.

Speaking at the unveiling, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor said fuel cell technologies had the potential to provide access to affordable, safe, clean and reliable energy, which was necessary for broad-based economic development and growth in the country.

"While the fuel cell market is still in its infancy in South Africa, recent developments indicate a growing appetite for the technology," Pandor said.

Pandor said South Africa has started to make a number of bold moves that could see it "leapfrog into the leading countries in hydrogen fuel cell technology installations" in the short to medium term.

"A forklift may appear to be a small move. But great industries have developed from small moves," he said.

The prototype is a collaborative effort between the Department of Science and Technology through the HySA Systems Centre of Competence based at the University of the Western Cape and Impala Refineries in Springs.