H₂-Industries signed an MoU with the Swiss-based developer of integrated renewable energy projects, Terra Sola Group AG. The agreement supports Terra Sola’s development of tailor-made, large-scale integrated solar energy programs for selected countries across Africa using H₂-Industries liquid organic H₂ carriers (LOHC) technology providing technological solutions for the storage and release of electrical power for export, use as a local industrial feedstock, or for grid stabilization and/or off-grid power availability.

The multimillion U.S. dollar cooperation is aimed at accelerating the transition of local industries to renewable energy, driving electrification, and boosting socio-economic development in these selected countries.

Terra Sola Group AG brings together financial, technological, and development partners to establish large-scale PV power plants, primarily in the Middle East, as well as Africa, where there is high demand for energy. Today Terra Sola through its Algeria based development arm Terra Sola PV Production Algérie is active in more than 17 African countries with a combined project pipeline of more than 10 GW installed solar capacity, combined with various socio-economic benefits for their host countries, like education and job-creation programs and the localization of industrial production and knowledge transfer.

H₂-Industries LOHC technology plays a vital role in these integrated programs due to its unique technological and economic advantages. With its innovative technology, H₂-Industries can convert power from renewable energies (solar, wind, hydro) into H₂, store and transport it in LOHC and then release it for power generation (via fuel cell) in any location or for direct use in industry and/or mobility sectors, on-grid, or off-grid.

“We have just returned from Egypt where COP27 was held this year, where the importance of transitioning the global energy sector has been emphasized by a dramatic call to action.  Together with Terra Sola Group AG we will focus our attention on giving selected developing countries access to much-needed clean power which will help boost their long-needed economic development, while making their contribution towards the global net-zero emission targets. Clean energy transition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Africa, a chance to reduce poverty and lift growth potential,” said Michael Stusch, CEO of H₂-Industries.

“Africa today is at the epicenter of the global climate crisis, yet Africa contributes the least to global warming, but it is suffering the greatest impact from climate change. At the same time, Africa is not just in imminent need of industrial development but needs to improve the living standards of the continent’s population. The availability of energy is key to Africa’s future development,” said David F. Heimhofer, chairman at Terra Sola Group AG.

“At Terra Sola, and in particular at our Africa hub in Algeria, we understand that African countries feature a promising combination of resources, favorable locations, and committed administrations, positioning the continent as an ideal place for generating renewable energy and for becoming the potential hub for the hydrogen-based global economy. Today’s agreement signals the next step for Terra Sola after having signed several agreements already, together with H₂-Industries, to facilitate and accelerate this development in our partner countries,” said Belkacem Haouche, General Director of Terra Sola Algérie PV Production.

Several project plans are in the final negotiation stages with the respective government authorities of the target markets. The implementation of the first project commencement is anticipated for Q1 2023.