Nigeria Ready as ECOWAS Sets Target on Green Hydrogen: 0.5m Tonnes Annually by 2030
- ECOWAS aims to produce 0.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, increasing to 10 million tonnes by 2050, as part of its renewable energy strategy
- Dr Bruno Korgo emphasised West Africa’s potential in solar, wind, and hydrogen energy, noting that green hydrogen can drive decarbonisation and boost the region’s energy market
- Nigeria also expressed its commitment to developing green hydrogen, highlighting its role in economic growth, energy diversification, and reducing carbon emissions
Victoria Island, Lagos—The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set its sights on producing 0.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with plans to increase this to 10 million tonnes by 2050.
This goal was announced by Dr Bruno Korgo, Regional Coordinator for Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen at the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), at a capacity-building workshop for private sector actors on green hydrogen.
Temitope Dina, assistant director in the Ministry of Power, said the FG is ready to harness the immense potential of green hydrogen to drive economic growth.Source: Original
How to unlock West Africa’s renewable energy potential
According to Dr Korgo, West Africa has immense potential for renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydrogen.
He said the potential provides a solid foundation for green hydrogen production, which is seen as a critical driver of decarbonisation globally.
Dr Korgo said though ECOWAS heads of state have adopted the West African Green Hydrogen Policy, its success relies on collaboration between governments, ministries of energy, and the private sector.
His words:
“This unique energy is today perceived as the energy of the future. The opportunity to produce, use and export green hydrogen to other demand centres appears like an opportunity for the West African region to start now to think about green hydrogen to harness its potential and also capture the future energy market that is coming with regard to green hydrogen demand.”
Nigeria commits to Green Hydrogen development
Speaking at the workshop covered by TheTalk.NG, Temitope Dina, assistant director in Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, emphasised the federal government’s commitment to harnessing green hydrogen’s potential for economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability.
Dina highlighted green hydrogen’s role in reducing carbon emissions, diversifying energy sources, and fostering innovation.
“Green Hydrogen stands at the forefront of the global transition to clean energy. It offers the promise of reducing carbon emission, diversifying our energy source and also fostering innovation,” he said.
“In our region, with its abundant renewable energy resources, green hydrogen could be a game changer. This could stimulate our local economy and industries, create jobs and provide a significant boost to our economies across West Africa.”
Biden unveils ‘hydrogen hubs’ in push for 2024
Earlier, TheTalk.NG reported that President Joe Biden announced new “hydrogen hubs” across the United States as part of efforts to boost the economy with green energy ahead of the 2024 election.
“I’m here to announce one of the largest advanced manufacturing investments in the history of this nation — $7 billion in federal investments is going to attract $40 billion in private investment in clean hydrogen power,” Biden said.
The US president travelled to Philadelphia to unveil the regions that won a bidding war for billions of dollars in funding to make the clean fuel, including a number in electoral battleground states.
Source: TheTalk.NG
