Egypt will generate 20 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2035. This is according to a study done by the Africa Union, European Investment Bank (EIB), and International Solar Alliance.
The new study combines analysis of investment opportunities focusing on three hubs: Mauritania – Morocco, southern Africa, and Egypt with a roadmap of technical, economic, environmental, and financial solutions to unlock commercial development.
Harnessing Africa’s solar energy to produce 50 million tons of green hydrogen a year by 2035 can help secure the global energy supply, create jobs, decarbonize heavy industry, enhance global competitiveness and transform access to clean water and sustainable energy.
“Solar photovoltaic technology has provided us with the cheapest electricity. It will cost below €2 per kg in several African countries by 2030, much lower than the current mass assumption of €5 and a stark contrast to the $60-70 paid for an oil barrel. Thanks to this low-cost electricity and decreasing electrolyser costs, the next step is providing access to a clean fuel, cheaper than all the current fossil fuels. It will enable us to decarbonise the power sector and most hard-to-abate sectors – fertilisers, steel manufacturing, and refineries.” said Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, of International Solar Alliance.
“As the global energy and climate crises unfold, mass-scale competitive green hydrogen is ready to provide energy security, affordability, and decarbonization. Integrated hydrogen hubs bringing together upstream, midstream, and upstream players on the basis of long-term off-take contracts are building powerful business models. Pioneering African countries such as Mauritania are showing the way, proving that Africa can help the world with green hydrogen – ensuring for itself a future of industrial development, fast and clean growth for all” says Thierry Lepercq, President of HyDeal.
The study was previewed at the Mauritania Pavilion at COP 27 in Sharm el Sheikh by Abdessalam Ould Mohamed Salah, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Mauritania, Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, International Solar Alliance, Jean-Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General of UCLG Africa and Hakima el Haité former Minister of Environment of Morocco and Thierry Lepercq, President of HyDeal. Government leaders, ministers, international finance, business partners, and civil society from across Africa attended the unveiling event.
The study also showed that Egypt would be Africa’s largest producer of green hydrogen, with a capacity to produce 20 million tons per year. South Africa and Namibia are next with 17.5 million tons each, while Morocco and Mauritania could combine to produce 12.5 million tons.
