Green hydrogen demand in Cameroon's energy sectors by 2040

Abstract

Cameroon possesses a significant endowment of solar energy, granting it exceptional potential for the generation of hydrogen through environmentally friendly means. However, the continued expansion of the nation's petroleum industry presents an obstacle to the domestic utilization of green hydrogen due to its present costliness for energy purposes. Nonetheless, the prospect of exporting green hydrogen to developed nations remains an intriguing proposition. Indeed, a pact concerning hydrogen was established between Australia and Cameroon in the year 2021, thus opening avenues for the export of green hydrogen to facilitate the decarbonization of national energy supplies in Australia and other industrialized nations. Presently, there are no documented large-scale projects within Cameroon dedicated to the electrolytic production of hydrogen. This study projects the potential hydrogen demand in the electricity and transportation sectors up to 2040. Electricity demand is expected to be as high as 8675 GWh in 2040, while gasoline and diesel demand are expected to reach 1.75 and 3.26 million cubic meters, respectively. Therefore, the total amount of hydrogen needed to power both the electricity and transportation sectors is estimated at 0.532 megatonnes. Even a relatively modest allocation, merely 5 %, of Cameroon's land for the production of hydrogen via solar-powered electricity generation could yield a surplus. This resultant quantity of hydrogen, estimated at a substantial 16.68 megatonnes, would likely be more than enough to satisfy the projected domestic needs for both electrical and transportation uses by the year 2040. • Green hydrogen can meet Cameroon's electricity and transport demands by 2040. • The study projects energy needs and potential for solar-powered hydrogen production. • Results suggest green hydrogen can fulfil domestic needs and generate export surplus. • Hydrogen is proposed as a flexible solution for a cleaner energy future in Cameroon. • Green hydrogen's role in Cameroon's transition to renewable energy is investigated.