STANDARDIZING GREEN HYDROGEN IN AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Emanuele Taibi, Head of Power Sector Transformation at IRENA, defines green hydrogen as being produced through water electrolysis with renewable electricity, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to traditional, emission-intensive fossil fuel methods. While hydrogen as an energy source is not new, its conventional production methods contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Africa, aligning with sustainable development goals, seeks to leverage green hydrogen to reduce emissions and balance renewable energy variability in power and transportation. However, challenges persist.

GLOBAL SHIFT TOWARDS HYDROGEN

Globally, countries are shifting towards hydrogen to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The focus is on developing renewable energy sources (RESs) for an eco-friendly energy transition. This shift will lead to a rise in green electricity and the gradual integration of green hydrogen. Many nations view hydrogen as pivotal for future energy management, promoting technologies for a "decarbonized" economy. France, for instance, introduced its first hydrogen-powered bus in 2019, reflecting a growing global trend. Policies, such as China's tax exemption on hydrogen-powered vehicles, further encourage hydrogen adoption.

Africa, with its abundant untapped solar and wind potential, is poised to be a major renewable energy producer. Despite having 60% of the world's best solar resources, it contributes only 1% to global solar generation capacity, as most African economies still heavily depend on fossil fuels.Nevertheless, Africa has made significant strides in positioning herself as a key player in green hydrogen. The establishment of the Africa Green Hydrogen Alliance in 2022, comprising Egypt, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, and South Africa, underscores the? commitment of the continent ?to green hydrogen initiatives.

However, certain bottlenecks hinder the smooth transition to green hydrogen, some of which are infrastructure limitations, insufficient investment, high hydrogen production costs, political instability, insecurities, corruption in the energy sector, and lack of the needed skills and education.

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LEGAL AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS FOR STANDARDIZING GREEN HYDROGEN IN AFRICA

Although green hydrogen production is being projected on a large scale within the continent, for example, the 15 GW Aman project in Mauritania, the 3 GW Tsau Khaeb project in Namibia, and the 4 GW SCZONE project in Egypt, there are still unique challenges impeding its growth; hence, in response to the unique challenges facing the growth of green hydrogen in Africa, the establishment of a robust legal and regulatory framework is imperative, with the following considerations to be borne in mind:

1. Establishing policies: Establish uniform policies and laws that will regulate green hydrogen in Africa; alongside mechanisms that will facilitate implementation.
2. Definition and Standards: Clearly define green hydrogen and establish standardized production and quality standards. This includes setting criteria for emissions thresholds, environmental safeguards, and adherence to sustainable practices in the production process. Harmonizing these standards with international benchmarks will facilitate cross-border trade and collaboration.
3. Infrastructure Development: Address the limitations of available infrastructure, by formulating and implementing policies that incentivize and support the rapid development of infrastructure for green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. Encourage public-private partnerships to accelerate the scaling of necessary facilities, such as electrolysis plants and transportation networks.
4. Financial Incentives and Investment Promotion: Implement financial incentives to attract both domestic and international investments. This could involve tax breaks, subsidies, and favorable financing conditions for green hydrogen projects. Create an investment-friendly environment that encourages long-term commitments and mitigates risks associated with the high capital requirements of such projects.
5. Political Stability and Security Measures: Recognize the impact of political instability on green hydrogen initiatives, and incorporate measures to address geopolitical tensions and civil unrest. This involves diplomatic efforts to resolve regional disputes, enhance security in project areas, and create a stable regulatory environment that encourages long-term investments.
6. International Collaboration: Promote cooperation amongst international organizations, surrounding nations, and stakeholders worldwide. This entails participating in knowledge-sharing programs, bringing in global experience to address shared difficulties encountered by the African green hydrogen sector, and coordinating regional standards with global best practices.

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CONCLUSION

?Optimizing green hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions and shift to cleaner energy aligns with global sustainable development goals. Despite Africa's potential as a key green hydrogen player, obstacles like insufficient investment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and insecurity impede progress. Addressing these challenges requires the implementation of the requisite tailored framework(s), aimed at standardizing green hydrogen.