MoU signed for 8 million tonne/year renewable hydrogen project in Mauritania, exports to Germany expected

LONDON (ICIS)–Conjuncta GmbH, Infinity Power Holding, and the Government of Mauritania have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a renewable hydrogen production facility in Mauritania that will see another import avenue for Germany.

The renewable hydrogen plant is expected to be developed over four phases, and will be located to the northeast of Nouakchott on the country’s west coast, a joint press release from Conjuncta and Infinity shared via LinkedIn said.

The facility is set to see as much as 10GW of electrolyser capacity, enough to produce up to 8 million tonnes/year of renewable hydrogen or other renewable fuels of non-biological origin.

The first part of the facility is due to have a capacity of 400MW and is forecast to be operational by 2028, however, no further information was given in regards to a timescale of the remaining capacity coming online.

EXPORT POTENTIAL

The renewable hydrogen, ammonia, and potential other renewable fuels of non-biological origin produced from the plant “will be used for exports” Conjuncta said.

The exports are set to be moved to Germany, with Professor Stefan Liebing, CEO of Conjuncta, quoted in the press release that “it will have a strong link to Germany both as a technology provider and a potential offtaker of green [renewable] energy.”

Germany said in the country’s hydrogen strategy that it expects the bulk of its 90-110TWh hydrogen demand in 2030 to be met by imports with potential domestic production set to be 14TWh.

Data from ICIS Power Horizon Forecast showed that by 2040, Germany will have hydrogen demand at 142TWh with supply at 121TWh before the gap widens further to 244TWh and 165TWh, respectively, by 2050.

Germany has signed several MoUs surrounding imports of hydrogen and ammonia into the country, and this announcement with potential for 8 million tonnes/year (266TWh) could see significant volumes move into the country.

The European Commission’s REPowerEU package aims for 20 million tonne/year of renewable hydrogen supply in Europe by 2030, with 10 million tonnes/year due to come from domestic production and the same amount again from exports from other global regions.

Moreover, during a visit to Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced 7 March that the two would “work together to lay the foundation for the development of a reliable hydrogen supply chain between Canada and the EU as well as to develop common approaches to standards and the certification of hydrogen.”

The first batch of renewable hydrogen exports from Canada to Europe are slated to begin in 2025.