French-based independent power producer HDF Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda that will see the parties develop the country’s first-ever green hydrogen power plant.
Signed on the sidelines of COP27 in Egypt this week, the MoU will see HDF Energy and the Ministry working towards developing a green hydrogen project that will supply the country with clean electricity all year round, eliminating intermittency challenges through the application of long-term hydrogen storage.
Using HDF Energy’s pioneering hydrogen power plant technology whereby the company combines a primary source of renewable energy with hydrogen storage to provide dispatchable green baseload electricity, the project will enable the transition from diesel-fired power generation to cleaner sources of fuel with the project predominantly using solar and water to produce electricity.
“Our cooperation with the Ministry on a first project in Uganda aims at, among other objectives, working jointly on a practical case for inform the local regulation, as well as creating an enabling environment and skills in Uganda for the green hydrogen industry,” stated Nicolas Lecomte, HDF’s Director for Southern and East Africa.
The project aligns with Uganda’s overall developmental agenda which incorporates ambitious energy transition components. The project will not only create job opportunities but will see HDF Energy developing skills and driving capacity building across the country.
“On behalf of my government, we would like to thank HDF for the initiative taken,” stated Dr. Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda, adding that, “Uganda has been talking about green hydrogen for a long time. With our energy mix, we want to capture whatever energy source we have. I know the technology will come with an opportunity for our people. We are open and will work with HDF: the entire region is going to be transformed.”