Mauritania’s $40 billion green hydrogen AMAN project has entered the next stage of development with the signing of a Framework Agreement between the government of Mauritania and renewable energy developer CWP Global.
According to the agreement, CWP will collaborate with the government on project phase clarification and overall design, including specifications on land tenure.
Conceived in 2021 at COP 26 in Glasgow with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the 30 GW AMAN green hydrogen project will be located in the Dakhlet Nouadhibou and Inchiri regions of the northwestern African country.
Targets include 18 GW of wind capacity and 12 GW of solar to generate approximately 110 TWh of electricity which will in turn produce an estimated 1.7 million tons of green hydrogen or 10 million tons of green ammonia, annually.
The project represents one of the largest of its kind in Africa and is expected to transform the regional energy mix while generating critical revenue for the Mauritanian government.
“We are excited to be taking a next step forward with this monumental project, which promises to deliver immense benefits not only for Mauritania but for key economic sectors globally as the world accelerates its journey to net zero by 2050 or sooner,” stated H.E. Abdessalem Ould Mohamed Saleh, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Mauritania, adding that, “Mauritania’s ambition to become a frontier developer of green hydrogen and maker of green steel is supported by CWP’s global vision and its steadfast commitment to making the AMAN project a success for Mauritania, Africa and the world.”
The project is expected to increase Mauritania’s gross domestic product by up to 40-50% by 2030 and 50-60% by 2035, while creating significant employment opportunities that will see industry job creation rise by 23% and national unemployment fall by almost a third by 2035. Coupled with the added benefits of improved electricity access, the provision of over 50 million m³ of fresh water for both domestic and agricultural usage and hydrogen-fueled transportation opportunities, the project marks a significant step in the transition to a clean energy future for Africa.
“This framework agreement is not only a sign that the AMAN project is entering its next phase of development, but also that green hydrogen is emerging as a key tool in the energy transition – both for its potential to boost investment in host regions and for its promising role in decarbonizing heavy industry,” stated Mark Crandall, Founder and Chairperson of CWP.
CWP is currently responsible for the development of six of the world’s largest green hydrogen hubs spanning three continents. By integrating CWP’s expertise and strong project portfolio with Mauritania’s significant green hydrogen potential, the partners are committed to ushering in a new era of socioeconomic growth on the back of the large-scale AMAN development.