Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will explore the potential of exporting ammonia from Hyphen’s Namibian green hydrogen developments to Germany for use by RWE.
Hyphen has $10bn plans to establish up to 3GW of electrolysis capacity to produce approximately 350,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum. In August (2022), it revealed it was in discussions with the Namibian Government to complete a signed implementation agreement for the project.
Read more: Progress on $10bn Namibian green hydrogen project
Additionally, RWE revealed it plans for a green ammonia terminal in Brunsbüttel, Germany, which could be operational by 2026.
“We are delighted to reach this agreement with RWE,” said Marco Raffinetti, CEO of Hyphen. “This milestone underpins our ambitious targets to export green hydrogen globally from Namibia.”
Raffinetti added, “By establishing strong connections with policymakers and offtakers across Europe, we are working with the Government of Namibia to develop the industry which will spearhead southern Africa’s role in achieving regional and global decarbonisation goals.”
A report by Masdar, released in November (2022) found that Africa could produce 30-60 million tonnes of hydrogen annually, with 20-40 million tonnes expected to meet export demand.
Read more: Africa could produce 30-60 million tonnes of hydrogen annually
During the Hydrogen Transition Summit at COP27 in Egypt, Jorgo Chatizimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe said that Africa has the potential to help Europe meet its hydrogen demand, however stressed the need to ensure the continent meets its own need first.
He explained, “This about emancipation. It is about bringing countries to a level where they can first of all produce enough for themselves. It is not a plan to squeeze everything out of Africa for Europe.”
Read more: COP27: EU, Africa hydrogen collaboration in focus
Ulf Kerstin, Chief Commercial Officer of RWE Supply & Trading, commented, “Green molecules are the only way for many industries in Germany to achieve their climate targets. In the long term, Germany’s demand for them will have to be met mainly through imports. That’s why we’re looking forward to progressing the offtake discussions with Hyphen – to bring green ammonia from Namibia to Germany.”
Africa’s hydrogen future – An interview with Masdar
The 2022 UN Climate Change Conference, COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt has brought the need for investment and partnerships to see the scaling of hydrogen capacity globally well into the spotlight, however, none more so than in developing regions.
As highlighted in October (2022) by the Hydrogen Council’s Global Hydrogen Flows report, hydrogen is set to become a traded commodity, with predictions that 400 million of the 660 million tonnes of hydrogen and its derivatives needed for carbon neutrality by 2050 will be transported over long-distances, with 190 million tonnes crossing international borders.
One region that has been earmarked as major exporter of the clean energy carrier by the mid-century is Africa, which had its potential compounded by a report, released this month (November 11) by UAE-based global clean energy powerhouse, Masdar.
The Africa’s Green Energy Revolution report found that the continent could produce between 30 and 60 million tonnes of hydrogen annually, estimating that 20 to 40 million tonnes of which is likely to be for export.
Masdar’s report found that Africa could produce hydrogen at a cost between $1.2 and $1.6 per kg, while producing enough in its entirety to meet five to 10% of the global green energy market by 2030, with a large portion expected to meet the import demands of markets including Europe and some regions of Asia.
Speaking to H2 View following the release of the report, Dr. Faye Al Hersh, Technology Specialist, Strategy and Corporate Development at Masdar said that Africa could become a hydrogen hotspot in the future…
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