As the pace of global energy transformation accelerates, Africa has gradually demonstrated its potential and advantages in hydrogen energy development."Africa News Network" reported that at least 12 countries in Africa are currently developing hydrogen energy projects, and 19 countries have formulated special regulatory frameworks or national strategies for the hydrogen energy industry.Egypt, Morocco, Namibia and other countries are actively embracing hydrogen energy technology and developing green industries to achieve multiple goals such as energy transformation, environmental protection and economic growth.Formulate strategic plans and increase development efforts. Hydrogen energy is a secondary energy source with rich sources, green, low-carbon, and widely used. It is considered an important choice for energy transformation.According to the "Research Report on Future Development Trends of Hydrogen Energy" released by the International Hydrogen Energy Council, global hydrogen energy demand will increase to 10 times the current level by 2050, and the output value of the hydrogen energy industry chain is expected to exceed US$2.5 trillion.In recent years, many African countries have accelerated the development of hydrogen energy industry.Morocco will formulate a green hydrogen roadmap in 2021, with the goal of making green hydrogen production account for 4% of global demand by 2030.In March this year, Morocco launched the "Morocco Proposal" plan to invest 1 million hectares of land in the construction of green hydrogen projects to build the country into a major green hydrogen producer and exporter in the region.The Moroccan government said that about 100 domestic and foreign investment institutions have expressed interest in the project.Egypt established a National Green Hydrogen Energy Committee in 2023 and launched the National Green Hydrogen Energy Strategy, with the goal of increasing the proportion of renewable energy power generation to 42% by 2035.Currently, Egypt has 21 green hydrogen projects under preparation.In February this year, the Egyptian government signed seven memorandums of understanding with international developers to develop green hydrogen and renewable energy projects in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.Hala Said, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, said that the investment in the pilot phase of these projects is expected to be approximately US$12 billion, and the investment in the first phase is approximately US$29 billion. The advancement of this project will help realize Egypt’s national green hydrogen Strategic objectives.South Africa announced a national hydrogen energy development roadmap in 2022, and plans to build a hydrogen production and export base-"Hydrogen Valley" across Mokopane, Johannesburg, and Durban to form a complete hydrogen ecosystem.The Mozambican government announced its energy transition strategy in February this year, proposing to become the leader in hydrogen energy production in Southern Africa by 2030.The Djibouti government stated that it will formulate a green hydrogen energy development strategy and roadmap and increase the development of hydrogen energy. In addition to providing clean fuel for ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, it will also use a large amount of it for export to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development.In November 2021, during the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations framework Convention on Climate Change, the African Green Hydrogen Alliance was announced and officially launched in May 2022.The alliance aims to build a cooperation platform for regional countries that are leading the development of hydrogen energy and drive the energy transformation of the entire African continent.Currently, the organization's member countries include Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, Djibouti and Nigeria.
n 2023, Germany, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritania signed a memorandum of understanding on hydrogen energy cooperation totaling US$34 billion. An electrolyzer with an installed capacity of 10 gigawatts will be built in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, with annual production 8 million tons of green hydrogen are destined for export.In 2022, the EU signed agreements with Morocco, Egypt, and Namibia to develop green hydrogen in these countries and export it to the EU.China actively participates in the development of hydrogen energy and other new energy industries in Africa.China Energy Construction Group signed a memorandum of cooperation on green hydrogen projects with Egypt and Morocco respectively. It plans to build photovoltaic, wind power and green ammonia projects with an annual output of 1.4 million tons (approximately 320,000 tons of green hydrogen) in Morocco. It plans to build photovoltaic, wind power, and green hydrogen projects in Egypt. A project with an annual output of 140,000 tons of electrolyzed water for hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, and supporting storage and treatment facilities.Recently, China State Construction Engineering Corporation and a Korean company signed a memorandum of understanding in the form of a consortium with the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority, the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, the Egyptian Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority and the Egyptian Sovereign Fund to develop green hydrogen and green energy in Egypt. ammonia.The project plans to invest US$1.9 billion and build a 250-megawatt electrolysis water system. It plans to produce 50,000 tons of green hydrogen and 250,000 tons of green ammonia annually. It is expected to be put into commercial operation in 2029.Valalou, the former Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, said in an interview with this reporter that Africa-China hydrogen energy cooperation has huge potential and broad prospects.Africa has the resource endowment to develop hydrogen energy, but lacks technology and funds. China is actively helping Africa achieve energy transformation.(Reporter Huang Peizhao)
