Arkab: Partnership with the European Union in the field of green hydrogen is essential for the effective development of the sector – Algerian Dialogue

The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, confirmed on Monday in Algiers that the partnership with the European Union in the field of energy is “fundamental and important” for the effective development of the clean hydrogen sector in Algeria.

In an opening speech delivered in his name by the Secretary-General of the Ministry, Abdel Karim Ouissi, during a forum under the slogan “Towards a Green Hydrogen Economy: Strategies, Regulatory Frameworks and Projects Being Implemented”, Mr. Arkab considered that developing the hydrogen sector in Algeria, as well as its export, requires work on continuous cooperation in The framework of a high-level technical dialogue between Algerian and European experts and specialists, “which will undoubtedly allow for the exchange of experiences and benefiting from European technology in this field.”

The Minister also pointed out, during this meeting organized by the Ministry in cooperation with the European Union Representation in Algeria, the importance of this cooperation in order to mitigate the risks associated with the development of this new sector “in a way that achieves the common interests of both parties.”

In this context, Mr. Arkab mentioned the “numerous” model and experimental projects that were launched across the country, some of which fall within the strategic partnership with the European Union, as these projects will allow, according to the Minister, to control all value chains for the development and production of hydrogen.

He also mentioned two Sonatrach pilot projects in the south of the country with a capacity of 2 to 4 megawatts each, in addition to studying the possibility of launching fuel production projects of the type E-methanol and E-kerosene, in addition to a semi-industrial reference project in Arzew to develop a hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 50 megawatts, with a contribution from The German government through the development bank dedicated to the development of its hydrogen division.

In a related context, Mr. Arkab explained that during the next phase, starting in 2030, the national road paper for developing this division “in an effective and gradual manner” will be based on the completion of several projects on an industrial scale with a total capacity exceeding 1 million tons per year, “for which preparations must be made.” Well, with our European partners,” he said, noting the necessity of studying and analyzing transportation methods and connectivity projects via the Southern Hydrogen Corridor and its technical aspects, such as using existing infrastructure in order to realize this project.

The Minister also stressed that Algeria pays “great attention” to developing an integrated division for clean hydrogen, especially by developing a national strategy based on several axes, including creating an enabling environment that includes regulatory and institutional frameworks, human capital development, industrial integration, as well as international cooperation.

For his part, the head of the European Union delegation in Algeria, Thomas Eckert, highlighted Algeria’s capabilities that will enable it to play an “important role” in the regional and international arena as an important source of hydrogen in the future, especially to supply the European market.

Mr. Eckert also explained that the European Union seeks to create a “dynamic” local market, noting that this matter will require, in the medium term, the Union countries to import the equivalent of 50 percent of green hydrogen to meet European demand.

He also pointed out that the energy transition in the European Union is witnessing rapid progress, especially with regard to the inclusion of green hydrogen in the energy mix, and this is through win-win partnerships with European Union partners.

It is noteworthy that this forum falls within the framework of strengthening the strategic partnership between Algeria and the European Union in the field of energy, in accordance with the outcomes of the fifth annual ministerial meeting of the high-level strategic dialogue on energy between Algeria and the European Union, held on October 5, 2023 in Brussels, between the Minister of Energy and Mines and the European Commission for Energy. .