German Chancellor’s representative to drive green hydrogen, Energy Transition

By Esther Alexander (ABUJA) –

Personal representative of the German Chancellor for Africa, Gnter Nooke, will tour and participate in African Energy Week (AEW) 2021 holding in Cape Town, South Africa in November.

According to the African Energy Chamber, Nooke’s presence is likely to spark discussion on Africa’s green hydrogen potential and upcoming projects, the march toward a continent-wide energy transition, and the relevance of international energy alliances, since he represents a significant player in Germany-Africa ties.

A Focus on Hydrogen research by Clifford Chance says that Green hydrogen is becoming a more tempting fuel option in Africa, especially with rapidly advancing technology and falling costs for fuel cells.

The International Renewable Energy Agency believes that Africa’s renewable energy capacity might reach 310GW by 2030, thanks to the continent’s abundant renewable energy resources.

Green hydrogen projects will not only meet continent-wide energy demand, provide energy security, and contribute to domestic energy independence, but they will also give a long-term environmentally sustainable fuel alternative.

As a result, green hydrogen is the best resource for propelling the continent to net-zero emissions by 2030. Furthermore, the resource has the potential to change the African energy landscape, as the creation of a green hydrogen market will not only assure a continuous and stable domestic fuel supply, but will also greatly raise country-wide revenue through exports to international markets.

Subsequently, the development of green hydrogen can push socioeconomic growth and establish Africa as a global competitor.

“Green hydrogen is rapidly becoming the most suitable resource to expand energy access and drive socioeconomic growth in Africa, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Germany-Africa partnerships will not only enable the rapid increase in green hydrogen developments aimed to reduce energy poverty continent-wide, but presents valuable export opportunities that will drive economic growth. By capitalizing on partnership opportunities with Germany, Africa can establish a competitive green hydrogen market,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Green hydrogen development has already made great progress across Africa, with countries such as South Africa, Niger, Mali, and Namibia, among others, refocusing on the use of renewable energies through green hydrogen.

There has been an increase in Germany-Africa partnership projects as a result of Germany’s recently implemented National Hydrogen Strategy in 2020, in which the country is turning to international partnerships in order to increase green hydrogen imports and spur global decarbonization, and Africa’s emerging green hydrogen market.

Interestingly, the German development bank KfW has launched a $279 million program in South Africa to create green hydrogen plants.

Furthermore, the H2Atlas project, led by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, envisions the generation of roughly 165,000 TWh of green hydrogen per year in West Africa through a number of projects.

Nooke’s participation at AEW 2021 is expected to not just to open dialogue around these green hydrogen projects and more, but to bring together African opportunities and German investments.

Notably, the German development bank KfW has launched a $279 million program in South Africa to create green hydrogen plants.

The Grand Inga Hydropower Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 42,000MW hydropower expansion project, and the 500MW Noor Solar Complex in Morocco, both highlight Africa’s tremendous renewable potential and the lucrative opportunities open to German investors.