Green hydrogen has become the most popular file on the green economy and sustainable development at the present time. Many countries, including Egypt, have announced initiatives for green hydrogen projects.
Egypt has joined these initiatives. The government said it will continue to announce more projects related to this type of energy transition. As part of a national initiative aimed at integrating it into the Energy Strategy 2035.
Green hydrogen projects have received a lot of interest from the Egyptian government recently. The interest continued until the activities of the COP27 Climate Summit, which is currently being held in Sharm El-Sheikh. In light of the availability of quantities of new and renewable energies. Which is an essential element – along with water – in generating green hydrogen. The global trend towards “green hydrogen” prompted the government to seek the launch of a $40 billion national hydrogen plan.
The projects for which the government has signed several memorandums of understanding will require the availability of huge amounts of water to enter as an essential element in operating the projects. This comes at a time when the government is seeking to bridge the local water gap due to the water shortage crisis that Egypt is suffering from. Here is the question: “How will the government and the implementing companies deal with the challenge of providing water?”
Green hydrogen is a type of fuel produced by a chemical process in which an electric current from renewable sources – sun or wind – is used to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen in the water. Thus, it becomes energy produced without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which causes global warming, according to Mohamed El Sobky, former head of the New and Renewable Energy Authority, to Egypt 360.
Hydrogen will be a pivotal means of enhancing the contribution of green energy to Egypt’s energy mix. As the demand for hydrogen increases, so will the demand for clean energy sources. Since green hydrogen is only based on carbon free energy sources.
Al-Sobky added that the government is keen – according to the green hydrogen strategy – to implement an ambitious scenario that works to reduce 33% of electricity emissions. and 65% of petroleum sector emissions. And a 7% reduction in the transport sector. Provided that this axis becomes the pillar of the government’s work during the next stage.
He pointed out that the government’s current work program aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the electric energy mix. And the attention that the electricity and renewable energy sector attaches to diversifying the sources of electric energy production and benefiting from Egypt’s natural resources. Especially renewable energy sources. It aims to reach 42% of its contribution to the energy mix in Egypt by 2035.
He pointed out that the government signed memorandums of understanding with international and local alliances to produce about 6,000 megawatts of installed capacity for hydrogen production. He explained that reducing carbon emissions in Egypt is linked to the growth of new and renewable energy investments. And that the matter is not limited to solar energy and wind energy – although they have the greatest impact – but the contribution of hydroelectric energy and the rest of the installed capacities have major contributions.
