The Egyptian government is planning to announce its US$40bn hydrogen strategy before June 2022, which will include plans for a production capacity of 1.4GW by 2030
The National Committee in charge of preparing the hydrogen strategy is coordinating with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in order to select a consultant to determine the technical, legal and financial requirements for developing hydrogen projects in Egypt.
Energy & Utilities reported in April 2021 that EBRD was assisting the Egyptian government with studies for developing green hydrogen.
Gabriel Lastours, head of energy Middle East and Africa at EBRD, said that the development bank was doing studies for the governments in Egypt and Morocco to help them prepare for launching green hydrogen programmes and developments.
?The EBRD is working with governments in Egypt and Morocco on studies to assess how green hydrogen could contribute to the decarbonisation agenda and mapping out low carbon pathways for these countries,? said Lastours.
Lastours said that while funding ambitious green hydrogen projects would present a challenge, that financing would be available for a variety of sources for well-structured projects.
?There will be a lot of funds available from development institutions, such as EBRD, the EU innovation fund and climate funds.?
In order for countries in the Middle East and North Africa to attract the high levels of investment required, governments will be required to play a key role in implementing adequate legislation and infrastructure.
?There needs to be some support to the government and incentives for the right regulations to give confidence to investors for hydrogen projects and transport and storage,? said Lastours.
Energy & Utilities reported in October that Norway?s Scatec and Fertiglobe, a joint venture of the local Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) and UAE-based Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), had entered into an agreement with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (SFE) to develop a 100MW electrolyser facility to produce green hydrogen for green ammonia production in Egypt.
In July 2021, Energy & Utilities reported that the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) had signed an initial agreement with Italian energy company Eni to cooperate on plans for green and blue hydrogen production in Egypt.
Egypt and Eni will work together to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of targeted blue and green hydrogen projects in Egypt.
