Hydrogen horizons: North Africa’s hydrogen future

North Africa is positioning itself as a global hub for green hydrogen, with countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria leveraging abundant renewable energy resources and their proximity to Europe.

According to a report by the Energy Industries Council (EIC), the region could see 41 hydrogen projects entering development by 2030, highlighting its growing importance in the race toward net zero.

Key to this growth is North Africa’s abundant sunshine and strategic location. Germany, Austria, and Italy are already exploring plans to repurpose over 3,300 km of gas infrastructure to import up to 4 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually from the region.

Egypt, in particular, is making significant strides with its National Green Hydrogen Strategy, which aims to produce 10 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2050 and capture 8% of the global market. Plans for new pipelines and port facilities will support the export of a large share of this production.

Morocco and Algeria are also focusing on hydrogen production, building on their renewable energy advancements. Morocco, known for its large-scale wind and solar projects, has created a strong foundation for hydrogen development.

However, challenges remain. The EIC report highlights the need for significant investment in infrastructure, such as pipelines and export terminals, to unlock the region’s hydrogen potential. Robust regulatory frameworks will also be critical to securing investor confidence and accelerating project approvals.

Read more: North Africa could lead clean Hydrogen race