The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the government of Tunisia have commissioned the “Green hydrogen for sustainable growth and a low-carbon economy in Tunisia” (H2Vert.TUN), a project that seeks to improve the framework conditions for the production green hydrogen and its derivatives in the North African country.

The H2Vert.TUN project was officially launched on Tuesday last week during a workshop organised in Tunis by GIZ. The project is the first concrete commitment of Tunisia in the field of green hydrogen production.

H2Vert.TUN will be implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy in Tunisia. 

The project is built on four strategic components, namely to develop the national strategy for green hydrogen, support the creation of a green hydrogen economy, boost research, training and innovation and set up a Tunisian-Bavarian technology hub for green hydrogen.

Key for decarbonisation of various industries such as aviation, agriculture, transport, energy and steel, green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using a renewable energy powered electrolyser. 

Green hydrogen produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, Tunisia is hoping to utilise it to decarbonise its own industries, as well as produce excess for supply to world markets – particularly Europe where there is an immediate demand.

The most likely medium-term opportunities for Tunisia are in the fertiliser industry as imported ammonia could now be replaced by green ammonia produced locally from renewable electricity.