Angola
Green Hydrogen Vision
With the rapid growth of global markets, technological advancements, and decreasing costs of fuel cells, green hydrogen has emerged as a viable carbon-free energy source in Angola’s transition to a clean energy future. Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, using electricity derived from renewable energy sources. This process not only reduces pollution but also accelerates the adoption of renewables, as hydrogen can be produced locally from a variety of sources.
Angola is well-suited for hydrogen development due to its abundant water resources and favourable climate for renewable energy projects. Currently, the country utilizes only five percent of its 47 major water catchment areas and possesses significant untapped water reserves. The Angolan government is committed to a long-term decarbonization strategy, aiming to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 70% by 2025, in which hydrogen could play a crucial role.
National Strategy
Angola is actively shaping its long-term strategy for hydrogen utilization, with several technical and conceptual studies underway. These studies will determine the best location for a green hydrogen plant within the country and assess the quantities needed to meet domestic energy production requirements. Moreover, Angola is positioning itself to seize export opportunities for hydrogen once the regional market is fully developed. Unlike many arid countries in Africa and the Middle East, Angola benefits from an abundant supply of water that does not require desalination for hydrogen production. This advantage significantly reduces energy consumption and associated costs.
Capacity
Angola aims to increase its renewable energy capacity to 70% by 2025 with the development of several renewable energy projects through PPPs in solar energy is currently underway, with the implementation of 30,000 off-grid systems with a total capacity of 600MW. The US government has also committed $2 billion in solar energy projects. Of the 47 river basins, Angola uses only 5% and has the potential to increase its hydroelectric production to 18 GW. Plans are underway to deploy large-scale hydroelectric projects along the Kwanza, Cunene, Catumbela and Keve rivers. Angola has another 3 GW of wind capacity that can be exploited.
Impact targets
No known impact targets as of 2024
Project Spotlight
Angolan oil company Sonangol has signed a joint declaration of intent with German company Gauff GmbH and Conjuctta GmbH to develop a green hydrogen project at the Barra do Dande ocean terminal. This project will use 400 MW of electricity generated from a 2 GW hydroelectric plant.
Angola is poised to become the first exporter of green ammonia, a transportable form of green hydrogen, to Germany by 2025. When completed, the Angolan green hydrogen facility aims to produce 280 tonnes. This project, developed by Angola’s SONANGOL, is strategically positioned near a new port and is integrated into the infrastructure that will support the country’s oil and gas reserves. With a hydroelectric plant located just 17 kilometers away and a river within 5 kilometers providing water for the planned site, the project is well ahead of its production timeline.
On October 2nd, 2024, during the Angola Oil & Gas conference in Luanda, CWP Global, Sonangol, Gauff, and Conjuncta formed an agreement. As part of this deal, CWP Global will join the existing consortium of three partners who are currently advancing a green hydrogen project in Angola. This project aims to harness surplus capacity from existing hydroelectric power generation to create green hydrogen and its derivatives, with an electrolysis capacity planned to reach up to 600 MW, marking it as the first initiative of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. The intention is to combine the produced green hydrogen with nitrogen to create green ammonia. This green ammonia will play a significant role in decarbonizing challenging industries, serving as a low-carbon fuel for international shipping, facilitating green fertilizer production, or functioning as a carrier for delivering hydrogen energy to market.
Financing
No investment amount known thus far.
Government green hydrogen lead
Ministry of Energy and Water
Sonangol