According to the African PressThe agreements signed by Tunisia – the country wants to become an exporter of green hydrogen – have met with little approval among the local population. So what are the complaints?
On the one hand, there are media that praise the country’s economic role as a supplier to Europe. On the other hand, there are those who denounce a certain form of neo-colonialism. For example, they point out that electrolysis consumes a lot of water. With an initial production target of 200,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, which is then to rise to one million, up to 248 million cubic metres of desalinated seawater will have to be used by 2050. This corresponds to the annual consumption of five million Tunisian citizens (half of the country’s current population).
Water consumption is not the only issue addressed
The production site in the south of the country would require an area of 500,000 hectares for the installation of wind turbines or photovoltaic modules. This is twice the area of the greater Tunis area (the capital).
The criticism is directed primarily against the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). According to climate activists, it financed and shaped Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategy. They denounce a form of neo-colonialism. One should not forget that Tunisia plans to export 6 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2050.
Tunisia’s potential partners include TotalEnergieswhich has signed a corresponding letter of intent as part of a consortium.
Countries that aspire to become producers and exporters of green hydrogen will undoubtedly have to face the same debate. Should they produce for the local market or export? Some might respond that the profits made will enable the construction of infrastructure that could not otherwise be financed. Indeed, Africa will play a significant role in relation to Europe. Morocco, Algeria and Egypt in particular intend to take advantage of this opportunity.
Would you like to learn more about green hydrogen in Tunisia? Then our latest articles about the country might interest you. Here you can find our latest articles about Tunisia Here And There.
Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King
