Africa's Green Hydrogen Potential Unveiled in Groundbreaking Study

A comprehensive study commissioned by the European Investment Bank, the International Solar Alliance, and the African Union highlights the vast potential of harnessing solar power to produce green hydrogen in Africa. The report, titled "Africa's Extraordinary Green Hydrogen Potential," showcases three hubs: Mauritania-Morocco, southern Africa, and Egypt, with a roadmap of technical, economic, environmental, and financial solutions to unlock commercial development.

The study emphasizes that Africa has the best solar energy resources in the world, making it an ideal location for producing green hydrogen. The authors estimate that scaling up green hydrogen production to 50 million tons by 2035 can help secure the global energy supply, create jobs, decarbonize heavy industry, and enhance global competitiveness. The study also highlights the economic viability of green hydrogen, which can be produced at a cost of less than EUR 2 per kilogram, making it a cheaper option than traditional fossil fuels.

Key Takeaways:

• The study emphasizes the importance of harnessing Africa's solar energy resources to produce green hydrogen, which can help secure the global energy supply and create jobs.
• The estimated cost of producing green hydrogen at EUR 2 per kilogram is cheaper than traditional fossil fuel energy and can be scaled up to meet global demand.
• The study outlines three requirements to enable the production of 50 million tons of green hydrogen in Africa by 2035: national planning and regulation, demonstration and commercial-scale pilot projects, and market-based partnerships.
• The estimated investment of EUR 1 trillion in green hydrogen production and transmission can yield 7 exajoules of energy, equivalent to one-third of Africa's current energy consumption, and create hundreds of thousands of permanent and skilled jobs.
• The study estimates that green hydrogen investment could reduce carbon emissions in Africa by 40%, replacing 500 million tons of CO2 per year, and become a global green hydrogen powerhouse.

Statistics:

• Africa has 1,200 TWh of solar energy potential, which is 50 times more than the EU's energy consumption.
• The estimated cost of producing green hydrogen at EUR 2 per kilogram is cheaper than traditional fossil fuel energy.
• The study estimates that scaling up green hydrogen production to 50 million tons by 2035 can create hundreds of thousands of permanent and skilled jobs.
• The estimated investment of EUR 1 trillion in green hydrogen production and transmission can yield 7 exajoules of energy, equivalent to one-third of Africa's current energy consumption.

Sources:

• European Investment Bank
• International Solar Alliance
• African Union
• CVA Consulting
• HyDeal
• UCLG Africa