The Commissioner of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency, Noureddine Yassa, stressed that Algeria, which is endowed with great solar potential, is able to produce green hydrogen at “very competitive” costs.
“Thanks to its great potential of solar energy, its large natural gas resources and support infrastructure, Algeria is in a good position to produce green and possibly blue hydrogen (from natural gas with carbon capture and storage) at very competitive costs,” said Mr. Yassa.
In this context, the official indicated that several studies conducted by the Renewable Energy Development Center and other national and international research bodies, clearly showed the “very important” advantages that Algeria can rely on in the transition towards the exploitation of hydrogen, especially green, as a conductor of clean energy.
It is mainly related to Algeria’s “huge” potential in the field of solar energy, which is accompanied by the large area of the national territory, which makes the exploitation of hydrogen on a large scale “profitable, in many aspects”.
Algeria also enjoys a wide network of universities and research centers, a large electricity network, storage, distribution and transportation infrastructure, national and international infrastructure for the transportation of natural gas, in addition to its favorable geographical location thanks to its proximity to European markets, and the presence of an industrial fabric for the production of hydrogen and ammonia.
“These factors strengthen Algeria’s position penetrating the booming green hydrogen market, around which many industrial activities will be determined for many countries with strong economies,” says Mr. Yassa, who confirms that Algeria can become a major exporter of hydrogen to Europe.
In fact, the European energy policy, which is based on carbon neutrality and aims to replace fossil energies through the development of renewable energies and hydrogen, especially green, has created a “strong regional dynamic,” the official indicated.
Noting that several European countries have already published their hydrogen-related strategies, Mr. Yassa stressed that “Algeria, in the face of this dynamic, has big chances of becoming a major regional player in this field, given the many advantages it possesses.”
== A national roadmap being prepared ==
In order to better define Algeria’s vision regarding hydrogen development, especially green, and its medium and long-term strategic, economic and environmental implications, a national roadmap is being prepared by a working group made up of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Renewable Energies, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as well as the Directorate of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency.
Mr. Yassa indicated that this group, which was established at the end of November 2021, in implementation of the instructions of the Prime Minister, has held several working meetings and has already drawn up a report on the initial elements of the hydrogen development strategy in Algeria.
This roadmap is expected to give national and international actors a clearer view of the policies, regulations and incentive measures in favor of the hydrogen sector in Algeria, according to Mr. Yassa, who stressed in this regard the importance of adopting a transparent approach in order to enable Algeria to attract potential investors and face the competition that is emerging more and more in the region.
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