Burkina Faso wants to experiment with green hydrogen.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Issa Somé, chaired the launch of the Project of Optimization of Solar Photovoltaic for the Production of Green Hydrogen in West Africa (PV2H) and studies on the evaluation of the potential for the production of green hydrogen from biomass energy and on the feasibility of a 1 Megawatt waste power plant in Ouagadougou.
According to him, it will be a way for Burkina Faso to have more energy for its development.
The battle for energy efficiency control is now underway in African countries. It is also clear that energy is largely involved in the development of states. However, in Africa, more particularly in West Africa, the energy question arises acutely.
Exploration has enabled some countries to switch from fossil or nuclear energy to other modes of production. Burkina, which is experimenting with biodigesters, has also implemented a photovoltaic energy program whose plant is based in Zagtouli, about 25 kilometers away at the western exit of Ouagadougou.
The issue of the electricity deficit is still unresolved. As a solution, the authorities have thought of green hydrogen to help fill the energy gap. The launch of the Optimization of Solar Photovoltaic for the Production of Green Hydrogen in West Africa (PV2H) project officially gives the start of experiments and related studies.
Dr Bruno Korgo, Regional Coordinator for Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen in Wascal, said:
The PV2H project aims to assess the technical feasibility of producing green hydrogen from solar photovoltaics, i.e. solar plates.
“The current climate context forces the whole of humanity to an essential energy transition that makes that today energy sources such as hydrogen have appeared and are increasingly the interest of several countries of the world. It is therefore important that we can be part of the current dynamic towards the decarbonisation of all sectors of our economy.
The implementation of the project is ensured by Wascal (West African science service centre on climate change and adapted land use)-Burkina. With a total amount of 1,800 million, it is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research.
Other state and non-governmental structures, projects and universities will participate in the implementation of the project.
Dr Moumini Savadogo, Executive Director of Wascal-Burkina, said:
The Zagtouli solar PV plant will serve as an implementation site from which lessons learned and innovative practices will be disseminated for the benefit of the entire region.
Studies to support the project
In addition to the PV2H project, two other studies have been launched. The first concerns the assessment of the production potential of green hydrogen from biomass energy sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources.
According to the secretary general of the ministry, biomass is a major source of energy in Burkina Faso. According to the SG, the National Biodigester Program has installed nearly 17,000 biodigesters in the different regions.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal resources and fisheries, said:
This technology provides a unique solution to the problems of access to energy, food security and extreme poverty and is a powerful means of combating climate change and its effects.
The second study focuses on the feasibility of a 1 Megawatt waste plant in Ouagadougou. Led by Wascal, it should improve Burkina Faso’s energy efficiency. According to the technical advisor of the Ministry of the Environment, Energy, Water and Sanitation, this offer will be added to that already made to the Burkinabè.
These include 170 Megawatts currently under construction by three private companies and another 100 Megawatts financed by the World Bank, the French Development Agency and KFW.
Energies: Burkina Faso wants to experiment with green hydrogen, August 21, 2022
