Green hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced from renewable energy, with nearly zero emissions, has the potential to decarbonize many industries including the steel and cement industries. Hydrogen can also be used for production of fertilizers, generation of electricity, as fuel for the transportation sector, etc.

In Ghana’s National Energy Transition and Investment Plan, green hydrogen (GH2) technologies are highlighted as very good technologies to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. However, there is no national strategy and standards for GH2 production, local utilization and possible export to the international market.

To support Ghana to develop its Green Hydrogen Strategy, the German Embassy, Accra, supported a pool of experts and consultants for a study tour in selected companies, research centres, and federal ministries in Germany to obtain first-hand information and insights in the global GH2 technologies and market.

Dr. Richard Opoku a Fellow of The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre, KNUST, was part of the Ghana Delegation to Germany for the “Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen” study tour. Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, the Asafohene/Akwamuhene and Head of Akwamu Divisional Council, Kumasi, known in private life as Mr William Kojo Agyemang-Bonsu, the CEO of AB-Hydrogen Ghana Ltd., was also part of the Ghana delegation. Representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Energy Commission, CSIR, Ghana Standard Authority, KITE, Tamale Technical University, etc, were also part of the delegation.

The next phase of this study tour is to facilitate the development of National Green Hydrogen Strategy for Ghana, and how it can play part in the global GH2 market. The insight obtained will also strengthen the green hydrogen and energy storage group at the Brew-Hammond Energy Centre. For more information on this programme, please contact the KNUST representative (Dr. Richard Opoku, Email: ropoku.coe@knust.edu.gh; Tel: 0240660955).