[ecr]

In a meeting entitled « Towards a green hydrogen-based economy: strategies, regulations and ongoing projects, » the ministry’s Secretary General Abdelkrim Aouissi delivered Arkab's opening remarks, underlining  that Algeria's hydrogen development and export goals require continued cooperation as part of high-level technical dialogue between Algerian and European experts, facilitating knowledge exchange and technology transfer." 

During the ministry-organized meeting, in collaboration with the EU’s delegation to Algeria, the minister highlighted the importance of this cooperation in mitigating risks related to developing the nascent hydrogen sector. He noted that this partnership serves both parties' interests, referencing various pilot and experimental projects nationwide, including some under the EU strategic partnership. 'These initiatives will help us master the entire hydrogen development and production value chain,' he added. 

The minister also cited two pilot projects launched by Sonatrach in the south of the country, each with a capacity of 2 to 4 megawatts, as well as a feasibility study on production projects for 'e-methanol' and 'e-kerosene' type fuels, in addition to a semi-industrial reference project in Arzew to develop a hydrogen production unit with a capacity of 50 megawatts, with the contribution of the German government via the development bank dedicated to developing the Hydrogen sector.  

During the next phase, from 2030 onwards, the national strategy for the gradual and effective growth of the hydrogen sector will focus on implementing multiple industrial projects, with an overall capacity exceeding 1 million tonnes annually," that we must prepare very well with our European partners, » said Arkab, stressing the necessity of examining and assessing  transportation routes and connection schemes via the Southern Hydrogen Corridor (SoutH2), including technical aspects like using the available infrastructures for the exécution of this project.

 The minister also affirmed that Algeria places a special emphasis on the development of an integrated clean hydrogen sector, notably through the elaboration of a national strategy based on several axes, including the establishment of a conducive environment, including regulatory and institutional frameworks, in addition to human capital development, industrial integration, and international cooperation. 

For his part, the Head of the EU delegation in Algeria, Thomas Eckert, highlighted Algeria's assets, which would enable it to play 'an important role' on the continental and international scenes, as an important source of hydrogen in the future, particularly for supplying the European market.

 Thomas Eckert said that the European Union is working to establish a 'dynamic' local market, pointing out that this would lead EU countries, in the medium term, to import the equivalent of 50% of green hydrogen to meet European demand. He added that the energy transition in the EU is progressing rapidly, particularly regarding the integration of green hydrogen into the energy mix, through win-win partnerships with EU partners.[/ecr]