Catalysing climate neutrality in industry, aviation and shipping in Argentina, Morocco and South Africa

Context

Argentina, Morocco and South Africa are aiming to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050. Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is a key part of their efforts. However, not all industries can be electrified directly. Green hydrogen, and derived fuels and raw materials are a potential alternative for industries such as shipping and aviation. ‘Power-to-X’ (PtX) solutions are produced using renewable electricity and carbon.

The three countries have significant potential for PtX – they have very good conditions for generating electricity from renewable energies such as solar and wind power. They have large areas of land at their disposal and can contribute expertise for producing and/or processing hydrogen.

Objective

Argentina, Morocco and South Africa are advancing in terms of their climate protection, energy security and economic development with PtX.

Approach

As part of the International PtX Hub – a centre of expertise, collaboration and innovation in PtX – the project is providing the Argentinian Government with support in the form of studies, dialogue events and training to develop a hydrogen strategy and create a policy framework for a PtX economy.

In Morocco, the project is developing and building a pilot plant for producing climate-neutral, electricity-based aviation and shipping fuels.

Together with South African partners, the project is analysing potential PtX business models and working with local ports to establish value chains for climate-neutral shipping fuels.

The think tank Agora Energiewende and the expert network DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. are supporting the project in all countries.

The local partners are the Energy Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Centro de Estudios de la Actividad Regulatoria Energética (CEARE), the Fundación Torcuato di Tella (FTDT) and the Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energy (IRESEN).

Last update: July 2023