IJP AfricaTalk#24: Hydrogen – the savior of the energy crisis?

The energy crisis resulting from the Russian attack on Ukraine has fundamentally changed the framework conditions for the energy supply worldwide and the turnaround in Germany and the European Union. Green hydrogen is set to transform the energy landscape and economy in Africa, with several large-scale hydrogen developments planned for construction in the upcoming years. Due to the strong decrease and uncertain future of the pipeline-bound natural gas supply from Russia, new market conditions for fossil gas are currently settling in Germany. This also directly affects hydrogen as an indispensable energy carrier for a future climate-neutral energy system.

On the one hand, the rapid rise in natural gas and electricity prices has a direct impact on the economic conditions for hydrogen production. On the other hand, the EU in particular has significantly increased its targets for electrolysis market ramp-up since the war.

Can hydrogen help to overcome the current energy crisis? And how can the African continent benefit from these developments? On March 30, 2023, we discussed these and more questions with our distinguished guests:

- Prof. Simon Roberts, Lead Researcher, Center for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development, South Africa
- Saliem Fakir, Executive Director, African Climate Foundation
- Dr. Gunar Hering, Member of the Executive Board of ENERTRAG SE