NAPEC 2024: Hydrogen development is a key goal for Algerian government, Arkab says
ORAN – The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, emphasised on Monday that the development of hydrogen is one of the government’s primary objectives, aiming to make it a strategic vector as part of Algeria’s climate commitments and energy transition program.
In his speech at the opening of the “Africa & Mediterranean Energy & Hydrogen Exhibition and Conference” (NAPEC 2024), the Minister highlighted Algeria’s significant assets, which enable it to become a “major territorial leader” in the hydrogen sector. These advantages include its solar energy capacity, its vast network for electricity, gas, and seawater desalination, as well as the abundance of land and rare minerals.
The Minister also announced that several important memoranda of understanding would be signed today in Oran on the sidelines of this event, under which feasibility studies will be conducted for the “SoutH2 Corridor” hydrogen pipeline project, which will connect Algeria to Europe via Tunisia, reaching Germany, Italy, and Austria.
The memorandum for the “SoutH2 Corridor” project includes the joint execution of feasibility studies to implement an integrated project across the entire hydrogen value chain. Sonatrach is working, in collaboration with companies like C Corridor, Verbund, VNG, Snam, and Sea Corridor, to develop the South Corridor for hydrogen transport, with the goal of supplying the European market with green hydrogen and transporting about 4 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually in the medium to long term.
Arkab also announced that another memorandum of understanding would be signed between Sonatrach and the Spanish company Cepsa to strengthen cooperation in the green hydrogen sector. This agreement will involve a technical and economic feasibility study for a 200-megawatt hydrogen production project with the possibility of exporting the hydrogen to Spain through existing facilities.
Furthermore, he announced that an international conference on green hydrogen would be held in Algeria in April 2025, providing an opportunity to showcase the latest technological and economic developments in the hydrogen sector at both the local and international levels.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, presided over the opening of the 12th edition of NAPEC 2024 at the Oran Convention Center (CCO), in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, Fazia Dahleb, the Minister of Vocational Training and Education, Yacine Merabi, the Commissioner for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Noureddine Yassaa, the CEOs of Sonatrach, Rachid Hachichi, and Sonelgaz, Mourad Adjal, as well as ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic corps in Algeria, and the Wali of Oran, Saïd Sayoud.
