What is green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is a type of hydrogen gas that is produced using renewable energy sources and environmentally friendly processes. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods, which often rely on fossil fuels and release greenhouse gas emissions, green hydrogen is considered a clean and sustainable energy carrier.
The world has been caught up in a moment to reduce global warming to not more than 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement. The demand for investment in renewable energy has seen a trajectory of growth and thus green hydrogen has been cited as the most credible solution available today for decarbonising heavy industries and transport sectors.
Green hydrogen, an initiative by the United Nations to achieve decarbonisation, has seen most countries around the globe endorse the idea as an alternative form of fuel.
According to the United Nations Green Hydrogen Compact Catalogue, “Hydrogen produced with renewable energy – “green” hydrogen – can play a key role in this transformation as a sustainable, carbon neutral fuel. To achieve targets of net zero emissions, increasing the uptake of green hydrogen will be critical, especially in energy-intensive sectors where emissions are hardest to abate. Sectors such as heavy industry, shipping and aviation”
Further, the International Energy Agency states that meeting climate pledges requires faster and more decisive action.
Is Green Hydrogen Africa’s Next Frontier?
Africa not being left behind, has taken a bold step in tapping into green hydrogen production. This presents a pivotal moment for Africa in the energy sector. For Africa to achieve a greener future, concerted efforts from diverse stakeholders are required.
According to Africa Energy Yearbook 2023/24, so far more than 50 projects have been proposed in Africa to supply an expected surge in global demand for green hydrogen and products that depend on it.
Notable proposed projects in green hydrogen are from Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, and Namibia. Namibia announced an estimated $9.4 billion green hydrogen project to start in 2026. These six countries took a step further to form the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA).
The Alliance aims to accelerate the production and utilisation of green hydrogen across a range of sectors globally. It will push to rapidly decarbonise industries like steel, cement, fertilisers, shipping and aviation that have so far made limited progress in reducing their emissions.
Mauritania is yet to set up the largest green hydrogen project of its kind in Africa, the Aman Project. The project is being developed by CWP Global through a framework agreement with Mauritania that includes 18GW of wind capacity and 12GW of solar capacity. The project is expected to generate approximately 110 TWh at full capacity and 1.7 million tons per annum of green hydrogen or 10 million tons of green ammonia per annum for local use and export.
“We are excited to be taking a next step forward with this monumental project, which promises to deliver immense benefits not only for Mauritania but for key economic sectors globally as the world accelerates its journey to net zero by 2050 or sooner,” stated the Minister for Petroleum, Energy and Mines in Mauritania, Abdessalem Ould Mohamed Saleh.
Kenya has also started laying foundation in investing in green hydrogen production as stated by the Principal Secretary State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Shadrack Mwadime.
“We have had discussions with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology on the production of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuel. We are not yet there, nevertheless, we have already had discussions with research institutions,” said the Principal Secretary for Shipping and Maritime Affairs during an interview with Baharini Magazine.
The African Union Commission in conjunction with the Republic of Kenya held the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya from September 4 to September 8, 2023, under the theme “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World.”
Heads of African states, civil societies, government officials, parastatals, indigenous communities, the private sector, academic institutions, local communities, youth, women and children converged in Nairobi for the Summit. The objective of the summit was to provide an opportunity for the African Leaders’ Declaration on Green Growth, Climate Financing Solutions, and Call to Action for African Union Member States and supporting partners to champion its delivery.
The President of Kenya and Chair of the AU Commission on Climate Change, Dr. William Ruto, urged African countries to increase their investments in green energy for a sustainable future. He emphasised on investment in renewable energy, green industrialization, climate-smart agriculture, and nature conservation.
He further called for global collaboration in tackling climate change.
“We cannot pursue climate action through insular, solitary policies. Global warming cannot be mitigated by air-conditioning our little pockets and corners of the world. Prosperity cannot and must not be pursued in a zero-sum, exclusive fashion, because the resulting injustice and inequity are the drivers of inequality, poverty, conflict and activities that threaten biodiversity and encourage pollution,” President Ruto stated.
Challenges facing Green Hydrogen Investment in Africa
Despite Africa’s efforts to shift to renewable energy, the continent is experiencing inadequacy in transportation infrastructure, funding and technological capacity. These hurdles need to be addressed for Africa to realise a sustainable future through renewable energy.
During the African Climate Summit, the European Union Commission offered to support Africa in its deliberations towards finding solutions for the climate change problem.
“Today, I am here not only to listen to you but also to bring Europe’s offer to be your ally at COP28 and to work together on all issues of the agenda. Climate action is part of the solution. You are part of the solution: With your huge potential for renewable energy and clean hydrogen, your critical raw materials, incredible nature and biodiversity and your young workforce,” stated the President of the European Union Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen during the African Climate Summit week held in Nairobi.
Applications of hydrogen
Hydrogen has several uses due to its potential as a clean and versatile energy carrier. It also has a wide range of applications, some of which include;
- Storage of excess renewable energy during high production.
- Transportation purposes in vehicles, trucks, buses and even trains.
- Use in industrial processes such as; chemical manufacturing, steel production, and glass manufacturing.
- Use in gas turbines or fuel cells to generate electricity or as a power backup.