EU-backed Kenya launches green hydrogen roadmap

The Republic of Kenya launched on Tuesday a Green Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap that includes a two-phase implementation plan for the period 2023-2032.

The roadmap was released during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi by the country’s president William Ruto and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EC). Not only has the EC participated in the development of the roadmap, but it pledged to grant nearly EUR 12 million (USD 12.9m) “to leverage public and private investments in the Kenyan green hydrogen industry” under the Global Gateway, Europe's investment strategy for the world.

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Kenya targets reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a third by 2030 and the country already derives over 90% of its electricity from renewable resources. A logical next step for the nation is to explore options for producing green hydrogen from green electricity, the document says.

The newly-launched strategy covers an initial ten-year period that will be split into two five-year phases. The period 2023-2027 will focus on domestic market development, including the establishment of policy and regulatory instruments and completing the first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects. One target set for that period is to deploy around 150 MW of renewables specifically for green hydrogen production and to install about 100 MW of electrolysers.

Phase Two (2028-2032) will revolve around domestic market growth and foresees direct investments of at least USD 1 billion in total. Among the targets set for that phase is to achieve a 50% import substitution of nitrogen fertilisers and to start pilot projects in sectors like baseload power and transportation. Regional export opportunities for green fertilisers will also be explored.

In terms of capacity, the document points to between 350 MW and 450 MW of additional renewables for green hydrogen production and 150 MW-250 MW of installed electrolyser capacity.

Beyond 2032, Kenya will focus on the growth of its export market and on the roll-out of more applications like green steel.

“The Green Hydrogen strategy prioritises economic expansion, generation of job opportunities, and the promotion of environmental stewardship and charts a course for Kenya to harness the potential of green hydrogen as a key driver of energy transition. Green hydrogen economy will enhance food security including expansion of green production of Kenyan tea, coffee, horticulture, floriculture and grains. It will also facilitate decarbonisation of our industries and indeed the economy,” said President Ruto.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.074)