Deputy Energy Minister, Collins Adomako-Mensah, highlights the substantial potential and challenges of green hydrogen development in sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking at a symposium themed “The Future of Green Hydrogen in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Communication Technology and Higher Educational Institutions,”
Mr. Adomako-Mensah underscored the strategic significance of green hydrogen for the continent’s clean energy future.
The symposium shed light on the interplay of crucial factors shaping the future of clean energy, especially in Africa.
“Green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources like solar power, presents a transformative opportunity,” he said.
Mr. Adomako-Mensah recognized the economic production hurdles associated with green hydrogen but emphasized its vast potential for regions like Africa.
“The potential for producing green hydrogen in high-sunbelt regions, including Africa, is enormous, and the benefits are multiple,” he stated.
The Deputy Energy Minister highlighted that the emerging green hydrogen industry is poised to advance the development of renewable energy sectors such as wind, solar, and hydropower.
He noted that this advancement would effectively address power access challenges, attract investments, and significantly contribute to meeting emission reduction targets.
Mr. Adomako-Mensah underscored Ghana’s commitment to a strategic framework for a gradual energy transition, notwithstanding its limited resources compared to developed nations.
He emphasized Ghana’s dedication to exploring various sources for economically harnessing hydrogen for both domestic development and export.
By 2030, Ghana aims to achieve a 10% increase in renewable energy installed capacity within its national energy mix, aligning with commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The Deputy Minister showcased ongoing projects, including the 106 MW installed solar capacity and the VRA Kaleo Phase II project, which has augmented the total installed capacity to 13 MW.
Additional initiatives encompass a 200 MW solar park by the Volta River Authority and the Scaling Up Renewable Energy Programme, targeting an additional 68 MW by 2025.
He also acknowledged collaboration with the German government under the Ghana Go Solar project, with the aim of delivering 22 MW of installed solar capacity to public buildings, thereby reducing national grid consumption and public sector debt to power utilities.
Adomako-Mensah emphasized the broader implications of green hydrogen, referencing the 2027 launch of a $562 billion energy transition framework at Sharm El Sheikh.
This framework sets ambitious goals for renewable energy capacity and the electrification of road vehicles by 2045, with the objective of significantly reducing carbon emissions.
He called for sustained partnerships in research and development, particularly in green hydrogen production, while highlighting the pivotal role of higher educational institutions and research centers in driving these efforts.
The P-Plant Centre for Industrial Research and Innovation at the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU) received commendation for its pioneering work in green hydrogen technologies, encompassing electrolysis, renewable energy integration, and hydrogen storage.
In conclusion, Adomako-Mensah expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from development partners like GIC of Germany and called for stronger capacity development and investment ties to achieve a climate-resilient, sustainable future.
He expressed confidence that the shared knowledge from the symposium would fuel innovation and promote the green hydrogen sector in Ghana and beyond.
Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University, delivered a compelling address on the opportunities and challenges of green hydrogen at the symposium.