To be considered green hydrogen, the electricity required for its production should mostly come from renewable power sources such as solar, wind and geothermal.
Green hydrogen would act like a battery that allows the storage of excess energy created by renewables like solar and wind during their peak cycles.
The green hydrogen sector is still in its infancy in Africa but with its phased expansion, the continent could reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions and address long-standing energy deficits.
Six African countries including Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia and South Africa launched the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance (“AGHA”) in Barcelona in May 2022.
Legal and Commercial Challenges
One of the greatest challenges faced by low carbon hydrogen production is that it remains (for the most part) commercially nascent, resulting in the following challenges:
- Uncertainty of Demand
- A Lack of a Dedicated Regulatory and Policy Structure
- A Lack of a Physical Infrastructure for Distribution and Storage
Closing Remarks
The vision of green hydrogen is very much on the global agenda, as highlighted at the COP26 summit with the signing of a multi-lateral agreement to accelerate the development of green hydrogen as part of one of the five “Glasgow Breakthroughs“.
