Tunisia bets on piped hydrogen exports to Europe

: Hydrogen
23/11/09

Tunisia wants to export renewable hydrogen to Europe via pipeline as early as 2030 and is targeting 6mn t/yr of piped deliveries by 2050.

Tunisia's ministry for industry, mines and energy aims for 320,000 t/yr of renewable hydrogen to be produced by 2030, using nearly 4GW of electrolyser capacity, according to a document summarising the country's yet to be published national hydrogen strategy. Of this output, 300,000 t/yr could be exported to Europe via pipeline, based on the document.

Production is slated to grow steadily to 8.3mn t/yr by 2050 (see table). Pipeline exports could account for over 70pc then, with another 400,000 t/yr to be exported as derivatives via ships and 1.9mn t/yr to be used domestically. Of the domestic consumption, around 1.35mn t/yr is expected to be used directly as hydrogen, including for heat and power generation, transport and refining, while the remainder would be consumed as derivatives.

The strategy document does not specify explicitly to what extent piped exports could be made through an existing natural gas pipeline or whether a new link would have to be built.

Tunisia is linked to Italy via the Transmed pipeline which currently transports natural gas from Algeria. The document notes that "roundtables should be organised between Tunisia, the EU" and the operators of Transmed and domestic Tunisian pipelines. These should also include companies "holding transport capacity" on the existing pipelines "on the basis of multi-year reservations". But the document also sets out "construction" of an export pipeline as one of the targets for 2030.

A dedicated task force will be set up to implement the strategy. The document outlines key steps towards establishing a framework agreement with the EU, focused on aligning regulations, supporting infrastructure build-out and "reducing the financial risk of projects through a guarantee mechanism". It also outlines sets priorities for building a domestic legal framework. These include drawing up a legal definition of green hydrogen, establishing criteria for identifying land for projects and setting safety standards. In special economic zones, project developers "will be able to benefit from tax breaks and administrative simplifications" while the government may also more generally introduce financial incentives and support mechanisms.

By Stefan Krumpelmann

Tunisia's hydrogen targets
	2030	2035	2040	2050

Renewable H2 production in mn t/yr	0.3	1.1	2.1	8.3
Installed electrolyser capacity in GW	3.9	12.9	23.3	86.8
Installed renewable power capacity in GW	5.0	16.4	28.4	100.0
- Ministry of industry, mines and energy

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24/12/20

Viewpoint: EU at crossroad on H2 rules, competitiveness

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Splitwaters electrolysers heading for US e-fuel makers

24/12/18

Splitwaters electrolysers heading for US e-fuel makers

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UK government underlines its commitment to net zero

24/12/18

UK government underlines its commitment to net zero

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Nordic Electrofuel expands e-SAF plans to Middle East

24/12/18

Nordic Electrofuel expands e-SAF plans to Middle East

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Viewpoint: Japan eyes methanol as marine bridging fuel

24/12/18

Viewpoint: Japan eyes methanol as marine bridging fuel

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By Reina Maeda and Nanami Oki Japanese firms' methanol projects Methanol-fuelled ships Company # of vessel Type Target commercialisation Announcement Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Mitsui OSK Line 1 Ocean-going methanol carrier Jul-05 May-23 Toyofuji Shipping, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 2 Ro-Ro vessel 2027-28 fiscal year Jun-24 Mitsui OSK Line 1 Coastal methanol carrier Dec-24 Jul-24 NS United Kaiun, Nihon Shipyard, Jaman Marine United, Imabari Shipbuilding Multiple Bulk carrier After 2027-28 fiscal year May-24 Orix, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding 2 Bulk carrier Jul-24 Production Company Product Country Target commercialisation Target capacity (t/yr) Mitsui E-methanol US Jan-24 1630000 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Bio-methanol Japan Jun-24 Small amount Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Kobelco E-methanol Japan NA NA Cosmo, Toyo Engineering E-methanol Japan NA NA Sumitomo Chemical E-methanol Japan 2030s NA Mitsui, Asahi Kasei Bio-methanol US Jun-23 NA Toyo Engineering E-methanol India 2030 NA Investment Company Product Country Target commercialisation Target capacity (t/yr) Mitsui E-methanol Denmark NA 42,000 Idemitsu E-methanol Brazil, US, Chile, Uruguay, Australia 2,030 4,000,000 JOGMEC E-methanol Brazil, US, Chile, Uruguay, Australia 2,030 4,000,000 Mitsu OSK Line E-methanol Brazil, US, Chile, Uruguay, Australia 2,030 4,000,000 Table source: Firm's company releases Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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