The Green Hydrogen Gamble: Assessing the Risks and Realities of Large-Scale Production in North Africa

The Green Hydrogen Gamble: Assessing the Risks and Realities of Large-Scale Production in North Africa

Introduction:

Numerous international agreements, including the Paris Agreement, aim to address the climate crisis. The European Green Deal, which targets climate neutrality by 2050, focuses on decarbonizing critical sectors such as energy, industry, and transportation. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are becoming increasingly prominent, hydrogen is emerging as a promising solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Recognizing hydrogen’s potential, the EU’s 2020 Green Deal prioritized its development, a focus further intensified by the Russian-Ukrainian war. The EU now aims to produce 10 million tons of green and blue hydrogen domestically and import an equivalent amount by 2030.

Recognizing Africa’s abundant solar and wind resources, the EU plans to leverage the region as a key supplier of hydrogen imports. Countries like Namibia, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia are viewed as having “untapped potential” to produce green hydrogen at competitive costs. This article examines (or explores) the feasibility of green hydrogen as a sustainable energy source in North Africa, exploring current initiatives, identifying major obstacles and potential benefits, and critically analyzing the nature of partnerships between North African countries and the EU within the evolving hydrogen transition.