Moreover, policymakers must consider the economic feasibility of hydrogen exports. Similarly, the prospect of blue hydrogen as a climate-friendly energy carrier remains highly uncertain, due to residual greenhouse gas emissions, the need for safe CO2 storage sites, and controversy related to the viability of carbon capture and storage technologies. Furthermore, the production of green hydrogen comes with a significant demand for water at a time of increasing levels of water scarcity across Africa-especially in the northern and the Sahel regions. ĭespite the large potential, capacity additions for the production of green hydrogen raise the question of whether they are coming at the expense of expanding local access to renewable energy to meet socioeconomic needs, to enable clean industrial development, and to meet domestic climate targets within the context of the Paris Agreement. Source: IRENA (2014) Estimating the Renewable Energy Potential in Africa FAO (2011) Water for agriculture and energy: The challenges of climate change IEA (2019) Africa Energy Outlook. Renewables also remain at an early stage of development: In 2018, the continent generated approximately 180 TWh of renewable power-approximately 20 percent of electricity generation and less than 0.02 percent of its estimated potential. Per capita consumption of energy in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) stands at 180 kWh, compared to 13,000 kWh per capita in the U.S. More than half of the African population lacks access to electricity.
The politics and economics of hydrogen in Africaīut how realistic are these ambitions, given a number of factors complicating the region’s pursuit of this energy carrier?įirst, hydrogen development cannot be separated from Africa’s broader energy landscape. Germany has also set up so-called Hydrogen Offices in Angola and Nigeria to facilitate dialogue with these fossil fuel-exporting economies. Germany and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have taken up discussions that could see the country relaunch the controversial Inga Dam III project. The German government has partnered with several African countries to develop a Hydrogen Potential Atlas and has committed $45.7 million to the National Green Hydrogen Development Strategy of Namibia. This large resource potential has spurred political engagement by a number of European countries, most notably Germany. Blue hydrogen has been suggested as a low-carbon option for these countries as they seek to diversify their fossil fuel-dependent economies. Countries like Nigeria, Algeria, and Angola have some of the largest gas reserves in the world. Africa also has large untapped hydropower potential, mainly located along the Congo and Nile Rivers. Several African countries, especially around the Northern and Southern Tropics, have excellent solar and wind resources.
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