Hydrogen objectives gaining momentum

Mauritania is positioning itself to capture up to 1.5% of the global green hydrogen market by 2050, and has large-scale projects in progress that are aimed at producing 12.5-million tonnes a year of green hydrogen by 2035.

Last year, business management consultant Conjuncta, in partnership with renewable-energy producer Infinity Power, signed an agreement with Mauritania’s Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy to produce up to 8-million tonnes of green hydrogen a year for international markets.

To signify its commitment to this pact, Conjuncta has made a pledge to establish a $34-billion green hydrogen project, which – in its first phase – will have an electrolysis capacity of 400 MW and is expected to start operations by 2028.

The plant, which will be situated near Nouakchott, will feature an electrolyser capacity of up to 10 GW, when fully operational, and will convert clean energy into green hydrogen, ammonia and other fuels for export to international markets.

Overall, the project will employ nearly 3 000 workers during the construction phase and up to 1 000 workers when operational.

As the company progresses with large-scale green hydrogen developments in Mauritania, Conjuncta CEO Professor Stefan Liebing’s participation as a speaker during this year’s MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition – taking place in Dakar from December 3 to 4 – is poised to shine a light on the country’s burgeoning green hydrogen market.

During the conference, Liebing is expected to outline ongoing projects while sharing insight into the strategic potential of Mauritania’s green hydrogen market.

Determined to play a significant role in improving energy access across Africa while boosting socioeconomic development and creating much-needed jobs, Conjuncta was established in 2004, and has been a major project development and investment firm on the continent.

Liebing has held various management positions in companies in the oil and gas sector throughout his career and currently serves as foreign trade association the German-African Business Association’s chairperson.

“Conjuncta’s unparalleled dedication to green hydrogen development in Mauritania is set to drive energy diversification, environmental sustainability and economic development while creating long-term prosperity for the country. “Green hydrogen production is important for Mauritania as it aligns with the country’s goals, and we look forward to [ . . . ] Liebing’s discussions on fast-tracking its development during this year’s conference,” enthuses Energy Capital & Power event and project director Sandra Jeque.

The event will also be an opportunity for industry players to explore opportunities, foster partnerships and identify ways to stay at the forefront of the region’s oil, gas and power sector.

Meanwhile, African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation secretary-general Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim will also speak at the conference, where he will discuss the African Energy Bank (AEB), which is expected to be launched in Nigeria, in September this year.

Ibrahim will discuss how the AEB can ensure high returns on investment while boosting economic growth through increased energy access in West Africa.

He will also share his expertise on the latest energy advancements in the region and strategies to advance ongoing projects.

Such projects include Woodside’s Sangomar project, which achieved its first oil production in Senegal, last month. The project has plans to increase output to 100 000 bbl/d. On the gas front, Senegal and Mauritania’s Grande Tortue Ahmeyim project, developed by petroleum and oil companies bp and Kosmos Energy, is expected to produce its first gas by the end of 2024.