BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Hydrogen is rapidly gaining popularity as a promising energy resource, and investors are now turning their attention towards countries with high production potential, such as Algeria. Following in the footsteps of Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark, Portugal has expressed its keen interest in participating in the development of this new energy resource in Algeria by investing in the national development program for hydrogen.
The Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, has expressed his country’s desire to join the energy dynamic that Algeria is experiencing, particularly with the launch of its green hydrogen development program on national territory as well as the production of “green” electricity. Algeria plays a fundamental role in Portugal’s energy supply, covering almost 40% of its gas needs. Therefore, Portugal aims to develop greater cooperation with Algeria, extending to the renewable energy sector and, in particular, green hydrogen.
Algeria is already setting the course for export diversification and moving away from hydrocarbons in its national economy. This was confirmed by the Head of State, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in his speech to business leaders and economic actors from both countries. A few months ago, the Ministry of Energy unveiled its roadmap for the development of green hydrogen, which aims to produce 40 TW.
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the interest in green hydrogen is only set to increase. Portugal’s interest in investing in Algeria’s hydrogen development program is a testament to the growing importance of this energy resource. With Algeria’s vast potential for hydrogen production and Portugal’s interest in renewable energy, this partnership has the potential to be a game-changer in the global energy landscape.
Ambitious program
Algeria’s hydrogen resources have piqued the interest of Europeans due to their abundance and low production costs, particularly for blue hydrogen. The country boasts significant production capacities in this area, making it an attractive market to conquer.
To this end, Algeria has embarked on an ambitious program to produce 40 TW of green hydrogen by 2040, with a focus on developing solar energy with a production capacity of 15,000 MW. The Germans have already taken the lead with the VGN company, which plans to install a hydrogen production plant in Algeria.
The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) has also launched a new program in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy to develop new and renewable energies, with a particular emphasis on green hydrogen. The program is deployed in four fields of action, including technology transfer and capacity building, improving conditions for EnR projects, supporting the development of a green hydrogen economy, and evaluating and providing information on the potential of national applications of green hydrogen.
Algeria’s hydrogen resources and the country’s commitment to developing green hydrogen have captured the attention of the international community. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, Algeria’s ambitious program and partnerships with international organizations like GIZ will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the hydrogen industry.
