North Africa: Future Major Exporter of Green Hydrogen by 2050

Deloitte's study redefines energy geopolitics: green hydrogen is transforming North Africa into the world's leading exporter and Europe into its main importer.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

On the world map of green hydrogen in 2050, North Africa is the world’s leading exporting region, and Europe the leading importing zone. A study by Deloitte reshuffles the global deck when it comes to energy and, potentially, the industry of the future.

Green Hydrogen and the Prospect of a Market in 2050

The emergence of green hydrogen, linked to that of renewable energies, “will reshape the global energy and resources landscape as early as 2030, and could ultimately constitute a market worth $1,400 billion a year”, asserts this study, published at the height of summer.

In May, the World Hydrogen Council collaborated with McKinsey. This partnership has identified more than a thousand green hydrogen projects, requiring $320 billion for commissioning before 2030. The Council was created in Davos in 2018 by the sector’s leading industrialists.

By 2050, according to Deloitte, the main exporters of green hydrogen should be “North Africa ($110 billion per year), North America ($63 billion), Australia ($39 billion) and the Middle East ($20 billion)”.

Decarbonization and Diversification of Green Hydrogen Applications

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the growing need for green hydrogen is decarbonizing industries. These include petrochemicals, steel and cement. Heavy transport such as aviation and shipping are also thirsty for hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, as they cannot rely on electric batteries like cars. The production of green hydrogen from the sun or wind can also be used to “inclusively” develop industry in emerging countries, the report hopes.

Challenges and prospects for Green Hydrogen in the face of Grey Production

For example, it could help develop the steel industry in southern countries. But at present, 99% of the world’s industrial hydrogen is “grey”, produced from methane gas on petrochemical sites, an operation that releases large quantities of greenhouse gases like CO2 into the atmosphere, and contributes to global warming. And less than 1% of hydrogen can be described as “green”, derived from the electrolysis of water, which separates oxygen and hydrogen atoms using an electric current. The green hydrogen of the future will come from the electrolysis of water using wind, solar or hydraulic power. Some current experiments are even betting on production directly at sea, alongside wind turbines and desalinated seawater.

 

North Africa: Assets and Opportunities in the Green Hydrogen Landscape

This is where North Africa has a card to play, according to Sébastien Douguet. The head of economic consulting at Deloitte also co-authored the study. This is based in particular on modelling data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

“Several North African countries, such as Morocco and Egypt, are taking up the hydrogen issue, and hydrogen strategies are being announced there, only a few years behind the European Union and the United States”, notes the researcher.

“Morocco has a very strong wind energy potential that is often underestimated, and a great solar potential, and Egypt has the means to become the main exporter of hydrogen to Europe in 2050 thanks to the already existing natural gas pipelines” that would be reallocated to hydrogen, he explains, interviewed by AFP.

Challenges of the Green Economy and Public Policy Coordination

“In our study, we assume a halt to investment in 2040” in the capture and storage of CO2 emitted during the production of hydrogen from methane gas, the current strategy of the oil-producing countries of the Gulf, but also of the United States, Norway and Canada, adds Mr. Douguet.

The hydrogen produced in this way is not labeled green, but “blue”. Several countries are betting on the transport by ship of intermediate carriers such as green kerosene, methanol or ammonia. The hydrogen would then be extracted on arrival at the port. According to Mr. Douguet, this strategy has already been launched in Japan and Korea, which import ammonia, and in Australia, which produces ammonia.

“This green economy can become profitable for end customers, provided that public support for the establishment of infrastructure is long-term and public policies are coordinated”, warns the author of the study, however.

A partnership between AquaVentus and Hydrogen Scotland aims to connect Scottish offshore wind farms to a cross-border green hydrogen production and export infrastructure in the North Sea.
Electric Hydrogen announces the acquisition of Ambient Fuels and an alliance with Generate Capital to offer up to $400 mn in hydrogen project financing worldwide starting in 2026.
Hynfra PSA strengthens its presence in West Africa with a $1.5bn green ammonia project, backed by the Mauritanian government, with commercial operations expected to start by 2030.
Over 500 hydrogen projects are now under construction or operational worldwide, with total committed investments reaching USD110 billion, representing an increase of USD35 billion in one year.
From 2029, Verso Energy will supply hydrogen produced in Moselle to steel group SHS, supported by a cross-border pipeline and an industrial investment exceeding €100mn.
The success of SGN’s test on a gas pipeline converted to hydrogen confirms Terra Firma Energy’s technological choices, with sites already equipped to accommodate this type of energy investment.
Lhyfe has started supplying Essent with renewable green hydrogen under a multi-year contract, marking a major commercial debut in the Netherlands for the French producer.
The Dutch government grants major funding to RWE to develop an offshore wind-powered electrolysis facility, marking a key step in the OranjeWind project.
ScottishPower pauses its renewable hydrogen projects in the United Kingdom, despite receiving public subsidies, citing a lack of commercial viability under the HAR1 programme.
thyssenkrupp nucera has completed the purchase of key assets from Green Hydrogen Systems, strengthening its position in pressurised alkaline electrolysis for industrial hydrogen production.
GH2 Solar Ltd partners with AHES Ltd to build an electrolyzer plant in Gwalior, targeting 500 MW capacity by 2030 with $19mn government support.
A cooperation agreement, a bilateral carbon-credit mechanism and converging standards lay the ground for India→Japan hydrogen and ammonia flows, with volume targets, price-support schemes and first export projects scaling up.
Hydrogen offtake agreements are multiplying, with Germany and Japan leading, mobilizing producers and industrial buyers in a still nascent but already highly competitive market.
Vema Hydrogen mobilise des experts internationaux pour accélérer la mise sur le marché de son hydrogène minéral, alors que l’entreprise prévoit de forer ses premiers puits pilotes en Amérique du Nord d’ici la fin de l’année.
First Public Hydrogen Authority opens a request for proposals to transport gaseous and liquid hydrogen across California, with a deadline set for September 12.
US-based manufacturer Ohmium unveils a new generation of modular electrolysers integrating all production systems within a reduced footprint, aiming to lower installation and operating costs for green hydrogen.
ABO Energy and Hydropulse join forces to develop decentralised green hydrogen production units in Europe, with Spain and Finland as priority markets.
Next Hydrogen secures two separate loans, including one from its executives, to consolidate liquidity and continue operations while evaluating long-term financial solutions.
Metacon receives EUR 14.9 million from Motor Oil Hellas for the approved delivery of ten electrolysis units, marking the first stage of a strategic industrial project in Greece.
The European Union’s regulatory framework mandates green hydrogen integration in refineries, generating projected demand of 0.5 million tonnes by 2030.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.