…as Conjuncta GmbH and Gauff Engineering makes history, becomes first German private sector investor to invest in large-scale green hydrogen production in the African continent.
Luanda, Angola, October 2nd 2024 – CWP Global, Sonangol, Gauff and Conjuncta have entered into an agreement at the Angola Oil & Gas conference in Luanda under which CWP Global will join the existing consortium of the three partners currently developing a green hydrogen project in Angola. The project is designed to utilize spare capacity from existing hydroelectric power generation to produce green hydrogen and derivatives, with the planned electrolysis capacity reaching up to 600 MW, aiming to be the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The current plan is for the green hydrogen produced to be synthesized with nitrogen to make green ammonia for export. Green ammonia can be used to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries, for example as a low-carbon fuel for international shipping, or to act as a carrier for hydrogen energy to be transported to market.
Ammonia production from Phase 1 of the project is expected to reach 400,000 tons annually, with the scope for increasing the capacity in future phases. Leveraging established power generation, port and grid infrastructures, and available land for downstream facilities, the project’s rapid development timeline ensures Angola is well positioned to become a key supplier of green ammonia before the end of the decade.
With the global push to scale-up green hydrogen production to meet targets required for achieving net zero emissions by 2050, this project has the potential to not only accelerate the clean energy transition, but also to establish Angola as a new hub for sustainable industrialization in Africa. Working in partnership with Sonangol, Gauff and Conjuncta and the Angolan Government, the project is aligned with Angola’s own development aspirations,
including the country’s long-term “Angola Vision 2050” development strategy, and the current National Development Plan (2023-2027).
CWP Global’s CEO for Hydrogen, Mike Scholey, attended today’s PDA signing and highlighted the significance of the new venture.
Scholey said: “This project marks a milestone not just for Angola but for the African continent, which has the potential to play an outsized role in the global energy transition.
“By leveraging Angola’s abundant zero-emissions energy resources, we plan to supply vital green hydrogen and ammonia to the world, helping to meet critical gateways for industrial decarbonization strategies and targets in Europe and elsewhere.
“This project underscores our commitment to creating a sustainable and scalable green hydrogen industry, one that will contribute significantly to both local and global efforts to combat climate change.”
Sonangol R&D CEO, Dr. Vladimir Machado, commented: “This agreement aims to reinforce the necessary partnership to allow the conclusion of one of the largest Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Synthesis Plant in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This project will also allow Sonangol to take a leadership position towards the Energy Transition, business portfolio diversification, social and economical development and the national productive sector.
Sonangol is very proud to continue working with its partners for the development of high impact green projects, positive for the environment.”
Gauff Engineering’s Managing Director, Stefan Tavares Bellow, commented: “Gauff is extremely proud of being part of this project since its inception, and is looking forward to being a key contributor to its launch. This project will greatly support Angola in diversifying its economy and contribute to its ongoing development for a greener industrial environment.
“With the signature of this agreement, the consortium reaches yet another crucial milestone, by partnering with a major international player in the Hydrogen Sector, bringing its unique expertise to this multidisciplinary team. Consequently, with all partners on board, we now look forward to establishing the SPV, and continuing with
the development of the FEED, having the target to implement the first large scale green ammonia project in the African market.”
Conjuncta’s CEO Prof Dr Stefan Liebing, added: “We are proud that an experienced developer like CWP Global will join our project and take the lead as a new shareholder in bringing it to a Final Investment Decision. As Angola offers a special framework and very good options for production of green hydrogen, we believe we have one of the most attractive projects that has a high likelihood of early implementation. Following successful completion of first phases of development, we are confident that with the experience of CWP Global, Angola can take a leading role in Africa in developing a new global green hydrogen industry.”