According to the African press, agreements signed by Tunisia – which aims to become an exporter of green hydrogen – are not being well received by the local population. So, what are the grievances?

On the one hand, there are the media hailing the economic role that the country could play as a supplier to Europe. And on the other hand, those denouncing a certain form of neocolonialism. For instance, electrolysis is pointed at as requiring a lot of water. With an initial production target of 200,000 tonnes of hydrogen a year, which should then rise to 1 million, up to 248 million cubic metres of desalinated seawater will have to be mustered by 2050. This is equivalent to the annual consumption of five million Tunisian citizens (half the current national population).

Water consumption is not the only issue raised

The production site, located in the south of the country, would require an area of 500,000 hectares for the installation of wind turbines or photovoltaic panels. This represents twice the area of Greater Tunis (the capital city).

Criticism is mainly aimed at GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation. According to climate activists, it has funded and shaped Tunisia’s green hydrogen strategy. They denounce a form of neocolonialism. It should be remembered that Tunisia plans to export 6 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2050.

Tunisia’s potential partners include TotalEnergies, which has signed a memorandum of understanding as part of a consortium.

Countries with ambitions to become producers and exporters of green hydrogen will no doubt face the same debate. Should they produce for the local market or export? Some might reply that the profits made will make it possible to develop infrastructures that could not be financed otherwise. The fact is that Africa is set to play a significant role in relation to Europe. Morocco, Algeria and, in particular, Egypt also intend to seize this opportunity.

Do you want to learn more about green hydrogen in Tunisia ? Then our latest articles on the country should interest you. You can read our latest articles about Tunisia here and there.

Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King