Djibouti Inks Pact For 10-GW Renewables & Green Hydrogen Project

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between renewable energy developer CWP Global and the government of Djibouti for the development of a 10-GW renewable energy and green hydrogen project in Djibouti. Djibouti presently has a mere 62% of its  population that has access to electricity.

CWP Global held that the RE project is yet to be named in the tiny North African state in the Horn of Africa. The project will employ cable networks, pipelines, port loading facilities and drinking water for the communities residing locally. It will manufacture green ammonia for export purposes besides generating green energy for the country.

The Djibouti Government said in its offical statement, “Once implemented, this project will allow our country to significantly increase its supply of renewable energy, to diversify its energy sources, to strengthen its energy security with the goal of achieving a 100% electrification rate on the horizon by 2035 and create economic opportunities arising from development of the high value added and potential industry of hydrogen and green ammonia.”

According to reports the solar and wind energy would make up about 10-GW capacity that CWP Global will develop. The company and the Djibouti government are yet to disclose the size of the electrolyser.

Mark Crandall, Chairman, CWP Global said that the renewable energy project will further develop local and regional agriculture. CWP Global stated, “The project will make a major contribution to realise the African nation’s aspirations for cleaner and more secure energy supplies, create green jobs and value-added industries, and generate exports to fast-emerging markets for low-carbon fuels and industrial projects.”

As per the Djibouti Government, the Horn of Africa, with Djibouti at its head, has the potential to become a major player in Power to X thanks to its geographical location (in the Red Sea, close to the Suez Canal) on one of the busiest trade routes in the world. It said that Djibouti has exceptional solar and wind resources, abundant available land and easy access to the sea, all essential for producing green hydrogen and ammonia at competitive costs.

The Government statement held, “A project of this strategic scale in the Horn of Africa will promote socio-economic development of East African countries and their regional economic integration, thereby boosting exports and allowing economic diversification.”

Earlier, Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), an Australia  based green hydrogen player has signed a deal with Djibouti to conduct studies with a view to developing green hydrogen production in teh country.