It is a veritable rush toward green hydrogen led by many North African countries, including Egypt, Algeria, and other Morocco. The battle has intensified in the current context where several European countries are trying to do without Russian gas because of the Ukrainian conflict.
Committed to a policy of diversifying their sources of energy supply and in particular to do without Russian gas, European countries such as Germany are increasing their contacts. For its part, Berlin has clearly indicated that it is not in a position to reduce its energy consumption by 15%, as recommended by the European Union. To meet its energy needs, Germany crisscrosses Africa in search of energy.
After a tour by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Senegal and Algeria where gas was discussed, Germany wants to import green hydrogen produced in Egypt. The German Chancellor recognizes that electricity and hydrogen are fundamental for the transformation of industry in countries like his. And countries like Egypt, which rely on renewable energies, especially wind and solar, could be of great help to Berlin.
It is not just Egypt that has embarked on this race for green hydrogen, countries such as Morocco and Algeria have invited themselves into this phase of conquering the European market for renewable energies. Algeria is working on “the development of a national strategy for the development of hydrogen, including green hydrogen”, announced President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The country claims to be better placed to ensure Europe’s supply of green hydrogen and claims to be able to meet up to 40% of European demand.
The Power-to-X World Summit, held last June in Marrakech, was a great opportunity for Morocco to convince more of its potential to provide more renewable energy to Europe, which is seeking to bypass Russian gas. Rabat has ambitious goals and plans to capture up to 4% of global demand for green hydrogen. Morocco, it should be remembered, signed with Germany, in June 2020, an agreement for the development of green hydrogen. Morocco has also concluded an agreement with Finland on making investments in this direction.
