Study examines potential of MENA region for green hydrogen and synthetic fuels

The MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region has the potential to generate more than 400,000 terawatt hours annually from renewable energy sources, primarily solar energy in the form of photovoltaics and concentrated solar power (CSP). This is a key finding of a study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Wuppertal Institute and the Institute for Future Energy and Material Flow Systems (IZES) on the question of what role this region could play »in supplying Germany and Europe with hydrogen and synthetic fuels from renewable resources.« The study sees the best opportunities for this even »if one deducts the MENA countries’ own long-term requirements for the complete conversion to renewable energy.« Depending on the assumed development scenario – negative, conservative, positive – Germany’s demand for synthetic fuels could thus be met 60 to 1,200 times.
The analyses carried out showed favorable values for photovoltaics in particular, the calculated costs for the production of synthetic fuels are more favorable here than with wind power or CSP almost across the entire region (see graphic). In general, however, according to a statement by the Wuppertal Institute, the investment environment plays a very important role, i.e. above all the question of the extent to which regional risks make the financing of projects more expensive. The MENA countries are only interesting partners for the EU if the overall view »leads to a real competitive advantage.« If this is not the case, it may make »more sense for the EU to be largely self-sufficient« or to rely on partnerships with other countries »in the Americas and Oceania.«
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