The Tunisian government, through the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ACWA Power to explore a landmark project aiming to produce up to 600,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually for export to Europe. This development follows another recent agreement for the H2 Notos project, solidifying Tunisia’s commitment to becoming a major green hydrogen producer.
Project Scope and Phases
The MoU outlines a comprehensive plan for the development, operation, and maintenance of 12GW of renewable energy generation units, encompassing storage systems, transmission lines, water desalination plants, electrolysers, and pipeline connections. The project will be implemented in three phases, with the first phase targeting 200,000 tonnes of green hydrogen production per year, supported by 4GW of renewable energy units and 2GW of electrolyser capacity.
Alignment with Tunisia’s National Green Hydrogen Strategy
This ambitious project aligns seamlessly with Tunisia’s National Strategy for the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives, launched in October 2023. The strategy envisions exporting over 6 million tonnes of green hydrogen to Europe by 2050, primarily through the SoutH2 Corridor, a 3,300 km hydrogen pipeline connecting North Africa to Italy, Austria, and Germany.
Exporting Green Hydrogen through the SoutH2 Corridor
The EU has designated the SoutH2 Corridor, a hydrogen pipeline initiative led by European Transmission System Operators, as a project of common interest. This strategic infrastructure will facilitate the efficient transportation of green hydrogen from Tunisia to European markets.
Government and Industry Leaders Express Confidence
Ouael Chouchene, Tunisian Secretary of State for Energy Transition, expressed confidence that the project aligns with the government’s national green hydrogen strategy, which targets an annual production of 8.3 million tonnes of green hydrogen and byproducts by 2050.
Fatma Thabet Chiboub, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy in Tunisia, and Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, signed the agreement, emphasizing the collaboration between the government and the private sector in driving Tunisia’s green hydrogen ambitions.
Leveraging Tunisia’s Strengths for a Sustainable Future
The project aims to capitalize on Tunisia’s strategic geographic location, existing infrastructure, and skilled workforce to establish a robust green hydrogen industry. By doing so, Tunisia is not only positioning itself as a key player in the global energy transition but also creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for its people.