The Mauritanian government has signed a framework agreement worth US$40 billion with CWP Global, an energy group based in Newcastle, Australia, to develop a massive green hydrogen project.
Mauritania is set to host one of the continent’s largest green hydrogen projects. It is led by CWP Global, an energy group based in Newcastle, Australia, and is known as “AMAN.”
This project’s framework agreement was recently signed in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott.
This was on the sidelines of a forum organized by the Mauritanian government on the country’s energy transition.
CWP intends to produce 1.7 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year or 10 million tonnes of green ammonia per year for local and export use.
To accomplish this, the company led by Mark Crandall intends to build 30 GW of electricity generation capacity.
This is nearly three times the installed capacity of a country like Morocco, which will have 10.55 GW by 2020, according to the Moroccan Office of Electricity and Water (ONEE).
CWP’s desired power will be obtained by developing 18 GW of wind power capacity and 12 GW of solar power capacity.
These facilities will be built in the western Mauritania regions of Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Inchiri.
“This is an important next step after both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding at COP26 in Glasgow (Scotland) in November 2021, the new framework agreement elaborates the details of the planned development phases of the project, including land tenure, project design, and the principles of collaboration to guide the delivery of the project,” CWP says.
According to the Australian energy company, the project will create a slew of new local jobs as a result of large-scale sustainable renewable energy production.
It will help the project’s host communities gain access to clean energy, clean water resources, and the development of new green industries. The hydrogen and its derivatives will be exported primarily.
The company wishes to provide some of the electricity to the locals. CWP will also invest in water supply infrastructure, with a capacity of 50 million m3 per year anticipated.
The arid climate of Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Inchiri, which are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, is well known.
This alternative solution will enable the development of irrigated agriculture in addition to providing drinking water to the population.
More importantly, the Australian group promises to conduct a pilot project to provide 60 hydrogen-powered public transportation buses.