Morocco: on track towards the technology of the future

Hydrogen is considered to be an important element in achieving the goal of climate neutrality by the middle of the century, as envisaged in the Paris Agreement. This is because it can be used as an environmentally sound starting point for a raft of industrial processes and products, for example to manufacture ammonia or synthetic fuels. However, it is only environmentally sound if it is green, i.e. obtained using renewable energy. This involves electrolysis, where (clean) electricity is utilised to split water into its component parts: hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂). By contrast, production of what is known as grey hydrogen creates CO₂, which is subsequently released into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. That is why the specific process chosen to produce hydrogen is crucial. It makes sense to draw on green hydrogen wherever direct use of renewable electricity is not efficient – for example in ships, aircraft and heavy goods vehicles that cannot be electrified.

Power-to-X (PtX) refers to processes where electricity is converted into fuels, raw materials for industry or other forms of energy. Manufacture of PtX products begins by using electricity and water to make pure hydrogen. If CO₂ or other carbon compounds are added, other synthetic fuels and basic chemicals, such as methanol or kerosene, can be manufactured. This process is only carbon neutral if the electricity is generated from renewable energy sources and if the CO₂ is taken directly from the atmosphere or is based on renewable raw materials. If this is the case, the PtX products can be said to be green.

With the support of GIZ, Chile also adopted a national green hydrogen strategy in November 2020, the first country in Latin America to do so. GIZ started working on H₂ in Chile on behalf of BMU back in 2014. The Andean nation is one of the flagship countries in terms of energy transition: as much as 44 per cent of its electricity came from hydropower, solar energy or wind power in 2020. Now it is once again living up to its reputation as a pioneer by aiming to become a major producer of green hydrogen. It has been supported in this since 2019 by the Energy Partnership Chile-Alemania, which GIZ coordinates on behalf of BMWi.

H₂ would be used locally – primarily by industry – but it could also be used to produce green ammonia for the mining industry and green methanol for the transport sector. Mining traditionally plays an important role in Chile’s economy. However, since it is an extremely energy-intensive industry, a switch to green energy would make a key contribution to combating climate change. A GIZ analysis ascertained that the energy and industrial facilities needed for the production and use of green H₂ could trigger the creation of almost 100,000 new jobs.

Chile’s potential to produce green hydrogen is so great that it will be able to export it or its derivatives such as ammonia and methanol to Asia, Europe and the United States – with a view to rolling out the energy transition worldwide.