Clean hydrogen is set to become a critical pillar of the global transition towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, Kenya has identified renewable hydrogen as a strategic opportunity for sustainable socio-economic development, as outlined in its 2023 national hydrogen strategy.

This H2Global report explores concrete business cases for renewable hydrogen-based ammonia production in Kenya, aiming to catalyze project development aligned with the country’s ambitions.

First, a GIS-based renewable energy potential analysis was conducted to identify suitable locations for such projects. In collaboration with local stakeholders, four promising regions were selected: Turkana Central and Turkana South near Lake Turkana, the Kisumu area at Lake Victoria, and the Greater Mombasa region along the Indian Ocean coast.

Second, concrete business cases for renewable ammonia production and offtake were simulated at each of these four locations. The resulting levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) ranged from 999 EUR/ton-NH3 in Turkana South to 2,437 EUR/ton-NH3 in Kisumu. These LCOA reveal a significant price gap compared to conventional fossil-based ammonia of more than 500 EUR/ton-NH3. However, a subsequent analysis revealed that further processing of renewable-hydrogen based ammonia to renewable fertilizer results in production costs which can be absorbed by the local market.

This suggests that renewable ammonia production in Kenya could become economically viable, while also buffering the country against global fertilizer price volatility and enhancing supply security.

The report is a product of the staff of the H2Global Foundation, IEE Fraunhofer, and the University of Strathmore.

The work was sponsored by the 7th Energy Research Program funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the research program “H2Global meets Africa”.

Download the full report now to explore the insights.

Due to the nascent stage of hydrogen markets, efficient support allocation mechanisms like auctions are critical. Auctions enable competitive price discovery, helping stakeholders make informed decisions, and connect hydrogen supply with demand. Beyond price optimization, auctions are instrumental in advancing other objectives. The report identifies 22 distinct objectives, grouped into four thematic clusters: scaling, domestic development and speed, sustainability and resilience, and efficiency. The report features case studies of four recent hydrogen auctions. Drawing from the analysis, the report developsrecommendations on how to align objectives to minimize trade-offs for maximum impact.

This report examines the role of hydrogen hubs as pivotal enablers of demand within the hydrogen economy, exploring their potential to bridge existing gaps that impede market growth. By anchoring clean hydrogen production and distribution within these hubs, industries can synergize efforts, promote shared infrastructure, and drive down costs through economies of scale.In this report, two types of demand hubs are described: self-sufficient hubs and import-dependent hubs. Based on the analysis, the report develops recommendations on how to promote and use hubs to support demand creation.

The transition to a global hydrogen economy is critical for achieving net-zero emissions and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Midstream hydrogen infrastructure—including pipelines, import terminals, reconversion facilities, and underground hydrogen storage—is projected to be the backbone of this transition, enabling large-scale trade and supply chain integration. However, this infrastructure faces a particularly large investment gap. This report analyses derisking strategies for midstream infrastructure for clean hydrogen and its derivatives, including four support instruments: CAPEX support, anchor capacity booking, contracts for difference, and fixed premiums. Based on the analysis, the report develops dedicated recommendations for the use of each instrument.

Report language: German) The project "Gas Infrastructure in Southeast Europe and North Africa" analyzed the hydrogen production potential from renewable energies, the use of existing gas infrastructure for hydrogen, and possible applications in countries along corridors A and E of the European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB). An analysis of the Net-Energy-Climate Plans and the expansion potential for wind and solar energy revealed significant export potential for renewable hydrogen to Germany and Central Europe. The existing gas network was identified as the most economical transport option, with the reconversion of the pipelines to hydrogen seen as a key bottleneck. Storage infrastructures must be expanded, benefiting from the existing geological potential.

This policy brief describes the need and benefits of globally harmonized standards and certification processes across the hydrogen value chain Digital certification tools and practices will play an important role, automating and simplifying processes while potentially supporting different definitions, certificates, sustainability frameworks and carbon accounting methodologies. Increasing harmonization will facilitate both project financing and interoperability, and overall liquidity.

This study examines the production, transport, and supply costs of key Power-to-X products for 2030, analyzing 39 globally distributed regions in 12 developing and emerging countries. It assesses renewable energy and Power-to-X production and supply cost potential through extensive country analyses, identifying promising regions and optimizing Power-to-X production pathways. The focus is on renewable electricity generation costs and the simulation-based optimization of Power-to-X chains for producing renewable hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and jet fuel. Import scenarios consider long-distance transport of green energy carriers to Germany via ocean-going vessels or hydrogen pipelines, relying on dedicated renewables for 100% renewable hydrogen production.