Participatory mapping of local green hydrogen cost-potentials in Sub-Saharan Africa
Green hydrogen is a promising solution within carbon free energy systems with Sub-Saharan Africa being a possibly well-suited candidate for its production. However, green hydrogen production in Sub-Saharan Africa is not yet investigated in detail. This work determines the cost-potential for green hydrogen production within this region. Therefore, a potential analysis for PV, wind and hydropower, groundwater analysis, and energy systems optimization are conducted. The results are evaluated under local socio-economic factors. Results show that hydrogen costs start at 1.6 EUR/kg in Mauritania with a total potential of ∼259 TWh/a under 2 EUR/kg in 2050. Two third of the region experience groundwater limitations and need desalination at an added costs of ∼1% of hydrogen costs. Socio-economic analysis show, that green hydrogen deployment can be hindered along the Upper Guinea Coast and the African Great Lakes, driven by limited energy access, low labor costs in West Africa, and high labor potential in other regions. • Green hydrogen potentials in Sub-Saharan Africa crucial for decision support. • Local preferences lead to eligible land for renewable energies from ∼0% to 55 %. • Technical green hydrogen potentials of up to 400 Pwh/a with 260 TWh/a <2€/kg H2 in 2050. • Sustainable groundwater sufficient for 16% of the technical hydrogen potential. • The Upper Guinea Coast and African Great Lakes offer high socio-economic impact.
Authors
- Detlef Stolten (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1671-3262)
- Heidi Heinrichs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9536-9465)
- Harrie‐Jan Hendricks Franssen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0004-8114)
- Harry Vereecken (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8051-8517)
- Sandra Venghaus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9352-6604)
- Kehinde O. Ogunjobi
- Jane Mukarugwiza Olwoch
- Jochen Linßen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2805-2307)
- Wilhelm Kuckshinrichs
- Christoph Winkler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8174-8392)
- Y. Michael
- Shitab Ishmam
- Bruno Korgo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0213-9148)
- Carsten Montzka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0812-8570)
- Bagher Bayat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7761-9544)
- David Franzmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6516-0094)
- Edgar Ubaldo Peña Sánchez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1402-0438)
- Amin Lahnaoui
- Bamidele Oloruntoba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9378-2803)
- Simon Brauner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5571-2577)
- J. Brendt
- V. Chiteculo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3222-9526)
- N. Oijeabou
- Zachary Getenga
- D Kone
- Christian Koerner
- S. N. Agbo
Institutions
- Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
- University of Siegen (DE)
- West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (GH)
- Shahid Beheshti University (IR)
- RWTH Aachen University (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
- Published
- 2025-03-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.015
- Citations
- 19
- Primary Topic
- Energy and Environment Impacts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 9.57
Funders
- European Space Agency
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
- Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
- Helmholtz Association