WSahara power map

Morocco gears up for green hydrogen push in disputed Western Sahara


Issue 513 - 29 Sep 2024 - By John Hamilton | 7 minute read

The first round of land allocations in Morocco’s green hydrogen investment process may soon be completed and is likely to include substantial areas in the contested territory of Western Sahara. African Energy has identified projects requiring the installation of at least 72GW of wind and solar generation, and more are likely to follow.

Green hydrogen - yet another scramble for Africa?

Green hydrogen, istock

Green hydrogen (GH2) prospects in Africa are developing at breakneck speed. But the biggest questions remain unanswered.  

  • Yes, Africa has the resources but can these highly capital intensive projects be made bankable while lenders demand heavy risk premiums on African projects?
  • Can commercial offtake agreements be put in place without penalising more expensive first movers?  
  • And which projects will prevail?  Competition is growing for sites with the best wind, solar irradiation, water supply, logistics and access to market.  
  • If this is yet another scramble for Africa, will it bring sustainable development, unlike the 19th and 20th century quests for physical resources?

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