French-Moroccan duo to work on 8-GW green hydrogen project

Morocco-based Falcon Capital Dakhla has joined forces with French hydrogen energy promoter Hydrogene de France SA (EPA:HDF) to co-develop an 8-GW green hydrogen production project in the North African country underpinned by 17 GW of renewables capacity.

The initial investment in the massive proposal is estimated at some USD 2 billion (EUR 1.84bn). It will create a hub where “some of the world's cheapest green hydrogen” will be produced, HDF Energy said on Friday.

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Dubbed White Dunes, the project is led by Falcon Capital, which is targeting to kick off production by 2028. Its massive plan envisages the installation of electrolysers in the Dakhla region of southern Morocco, to be powered by 10 GW of wind and 7 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) power. The complex will span across 150,000 hectares (370,700 acres).

“The collaboration with Falcon Capital Dakhla represents the perfect synergy between two complementary entities, enabling the production of some of the world's most competitive green hydrogen in Morocco,” said Damien Havard, CEO of HDF Energy.

Almost two years have been devoted to conducting feasibility studies, preliminary project design, and phased planning for the project, according to the statement.

Morocco is pursuing a goal of sourcing at least 52% of its total power from renewables by 2030 and 80% by 2050. To back these targets, the Kingdom aims to deploy 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of this decade.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.918)