Pretoria (South Africa), Évora (Portugal), Port Louis (Mauritius) – 14 August 2024
The African Hydrogen Partnership (AHP) is delighted to announce that HyAfrica, a project of the EU funded LEAP-RE programme, and the AHP have signed an MOU for collaboratively conducting and delivering research results on Natural Hydrogen in Africa.
The Aim of the HyAfrica project is to assess resources of natural hydrogen in several promising regions of Africa. The AHP is the only continent-wide African association dedicated to natural (geologic) and green hydrogen in Africa.
HyAfrica and the AHP agreed to use theoretical methods to identify areas for field studies and to conduct reconnaissance surveys as well as fact-finding and full field studies.
Geologists have already identified two promising regions in West and East Africa. HyAfrica and the AHP are currently preparing the reconnaissance surveys and fact-finding field studies.
Prof Júlio Ferreira Carneiro (Coordinator of HyAfrica Project | Professor at the Geosciences Department of University of Évora) said,
“HyAfrica is now in its third year of research, and the results have exceeded our highest expectations for natural hydrogen occurrence, particularly in South Africa and Mozambique. We are now moving into a phase where we will assess the impact of these resources on local communities. Initially, our work plan focused on relatively small, high-potential areas. However, this MOU with AHP will enable the HyAfrica team to apply its methodologies and tools across other regions of the continent. Moreover, AHP’s significance in planning a hydrogen future for Africa, along with its connections to research institutions, industry, and governmental bodies, ensures that African countries can take early action and utilize natural hydrogen as an energy source for local and regional communities.”
Prof Bamidele Adebisi (AHP Director, AHP University Board Member | Head of Smart Infrastructure and Industry Research (SIIR) Group at Manchester Metropolitan University) explained,
“Africa has vast potential for natural (geologic) hydrogen, which can play a crucial role in the continent’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Geologic hydrogen is hydrogen that is stored naturally underground, often in association with coal reservoirs or geothermally active regions. It can be extracted and used as a clean and renewable energy source.
Despite the challenges, the potential benefits of geologic hydrogen for Africa are significant.
The finding of a larger number of significant natural hydrogen fields in Africa would have a major impact on the continent. It would help Africa to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels, create new jobs, boost economic growth, achieve energy security, and mitigate climate change. The leadership team is excited about the potential of natural hydrogen to make a positive impact on Africa.
The work being done will result in a long-term collaboration of involved universities and the finding of a larger number of significant natural hydrogen fields in Africa. By working with partners like HyAfrica, Africa can unlock the potential of geologic hydrogen and contribute to a sustainable energy future.”
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About HyAfrica
HyAfrica proposes a necessary first step in the understanding of the extraction and utilization possibilities in a set of African countries. Its objective is to assess the resources of natural hydrogen in promising regions of Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa and Togo and to evaluate its social-economic impact. The project will create strategies for the exploitation of the hydrogen source, and allow institutions in the identified countries to develop roadmaps and action plans, and include hydrogen in their energy systems.
To achieve that, HyAfrica will focus on building capacity with the local teams, through the knowledge that has been gained and the development of the socio-economic and business models. The engagement of stakeholders will also take precedent in identifying licensing and development procedures.
The project promotes the exploitation of natural hydrogen in African geological environments, in order to provide alternative energy for local areas.
The objective of HyAfrica is to assess the resources of natural hydrogen in promising regions of our African countries (Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa and Togo) and evaluate its social-economic impact if deployed as an energy source for local communities.
Specific objectives are:
- Identify and map the existing resources.
- Assess the socio-economic impact and develop business models for standalone, off-grid and mini-grid systems based on H2.
- Develop roadmaps for natural hydrogen exploration and exploitation in the target countries.
- Build capacity on natural hydrogen application in standalone and mini-grid systems among the academic community and institutional stakeholders of the target countries.
For more information about HyAfrica, please visit https://www.leap-re.eu/hyafrica/.
