Italian certification body Rina is boosting its presence in the hydrogen economy and joining the African Hydrogen Partnership Trade Association (AHP) to develop the green H2 value chain and the uptake of hydrogen-based chemicals.

The European Union is helping Africa to build its green hydrogen economy. Last year under the so-called REPowerEU plan, the EU boosted its hydrogen imports target to 20 million tonnes per year by 2030. That means around 10m t/y of green hydrogen will be imported from diverse suppliers, with Africa and the Mediterranean region expected to contribute significantly, Kallanish notes.

The AHP’s mission is to help establish a solid hydrogen industry in all African nations and promote partnerships within the continent and with other international organisations. It vows to accelerate the uptake of renewable sources, green hydrogen and fuel cell technology and counts amongst its members the port of Rotterdam, AngloAmerican, HDF energy, Hydrogen Europe and Gencell. 

 “In conjunction with our African footprint, our expertise in technologies enables us to open new hydrogen corridors, supporting local and international initiatives while acting as a system integrator along the entire hydrogen value chain," Rina’s carbon reduction executive vice president Andrea Bombardi says in a note, adding that the collaboration with AHP intends to build a bridge between Europe and Africa. Rina will contribute with its services in consulting engineering, inspection, testing and certification for African hydrogen projects. AHP expects Rina’s membership to provide assurances to companies, investors and regulators.

“Renewable African hydrogen is essential to the world and Europe meeting its net-zero targets … As Africa ramps up its sustainable energy supply and many of its countries leapfrog to the new age of hydrogen technologies, the AHP is confident that clean, sustainable and renewable African hydrogen will price diesel and petrol out of the market between 2025 and 2030," AHP chairman Innocent Uwuijaren said when Belgium-based hydrogen and fuel cell association Hydrogen Europe joined AHP last year (see Kallanish 3 May 2022).