SDG7 and green hydrogen: a solution for the energy of the future
Nov 12, 2024
Sustainable
Green hydrogen is an effective solution for decarbonising the economy. This energy carrier, which is produced from water by means of electricity from renewable sources, does not emit CO2 and can be used in a wide variety of applications.
Because of this, many countries are eyeing renewable hydrogen technologies in the quest for alternatives with which to decarbonise their energy mix. We review a number of the most important projects being developed around the world to produce green hydrogen.
Many countries are eyeing renewable hydrogen technologies in the quest for alternatives with which to decarbonise their energy mix.
Australia’s largest energy infrastructure project
The Western Green Energy Hub is a project led by an international consortium that will deliver 50 GW of solar and wind capacity for the southern coast of Western Australia by 2030. At an estimated cost of AUD 100 billion, it is expected to produce around 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year.
Kazakhstan’s largest hydrogen project
Among the world’s largest renewable hydrogen production projects is this one in Kazakhstan. Svenvind Energy plans to build wind and solar farms with a capacity of 45 GW, and electrolysers that will be able to produce up to 3 million tonnes per year of green hydrogen as of 2027.
Renewable hydrogen from wind and solar energy in Mauritania
The Government of Mauritania and the company Chariot signed an agreement in 2021 for a 30 GW solar and wind power project to supply electrolysers that will produce green hydrogen. The AMAN project is located in a desert area that has been identified as suitable for the production of this clean energy and will help the country complete its vision of being one of the world’s leading exporters.
Alternative sources at the heart of Oman’s energy strategy
Oman has several renewable hydrogen projects underway. The largest of these is a plant being developed by the state-owned oil and gas company that will commence operations by 2030. The investment will cover a 25 GW wind and solar project that will boost green hydrogen production in the sultanate.
Another project to make Australia the leader in H2 production
The Asian Renewable Energy Hub is a project to create one of the world’s largest renewable energy power stations in the Pilbara region of Australia. With about 26 GW of wind and solar capacity, it will produce 1.5 tonnes per year of renewable hydrogen and green ammonia for export to Asia as of 2027.
Germany also wants to harness wind power in the North Sea
The North Sea has significant potential for renewable wind energy generation and many projects are looking to exploit it. One of these is AquaVentus, which aims to harness 10 GW of offshore wind power to produce one million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2035.
Renewable hydrogen from offshore wind energy in the Netherlands
This project aims to make the Netherlands a leading producer of renewable hydrogen in Europe. NortH2 is a consortium of several companies that plans to build a 4 GW wind farm by 2030, which is to be expanded to 10 GW to produce around 800,000 tonnes of green hydrogen by 2040.
Spain, a heavyweight in hydrogen production
Spain has announced several projects that will allow it to produce and distribute green hydrogen to third countries.
In addition to HyDeal Spain, with a production of 330,000 tonnes per year, and which is part of the largest renewable hydrogen project in the world (HyDeal Ambition), the country has announced many other projects that showcase its potential.
Some of the most outstanding, which deserve to be included in this world ranking, are Valle Andaluz del Hidrógeno Verde (Andalusia) which will have a combined production capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year; Corredor Vasco del Hidrógeno (Basque Country) with an estimated production of 20,000 tonnes per year; Valle del Hidrógeno de Cataluña (Catalonia); the Puertollano project (Castile-La Mancha), which aims to produce 3,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per year; and the Catalina project (Aragon), which will produce up to 84,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.
Hydrogen, wind, desalination and ammonia in this Chilean project
With an installed capacity of 10 GW of wind power and up to 8 GW of electrolysis capacity, H2 Magallanes is one of the leading renewable hydrogen projects in the Americas. Work is expected to start in 2025 and, once operational, it is expected to offset up to five million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Green hydrogen production and storage for inland China
Sinopec, China’s leading hydrogen producer, has commenced a renewable hydrogen project in Inner Mongolia with wind (450 MW) and solar (270 MW) farms. It will have an estimated capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year and capacity to store up to 288,000 m3.