TE H2, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and the EREN Group, and its partners Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and AP Moller Capital have signed a preliminary contract for land reservation for the 1GW Chbika green hydrogen project in Morocco.
The agreement will allow TE H2 and the two Danish companies, CIP through its Energy Transition Fund, and the other through its Emerging Markets Infrastructure Fund, to launch pre-FEED studies at the site.
Located near the Atlantic coast in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region, the Chbika project aims to build 1GW of onshore solar and wind capacities to power the production of green hydrogen through the electrolysis of desalinated seawater and its transformation into 200,000 tons per year of green ammonia for the European market.
This project will constitute the first phase of a development program aimed at creating a world-scale green hydrogen production hub.
TE H2 and CIP will be responsible for the development of renewable energy production (solar, wind, green hydrogen, and its derivatives), while AP Moller Capital will develop the port and associated infrastructure.
The contract, a first in Morocco, will highlight the country’s exceptional renewable potential and contribute to the economic development of the Kingdom, said the developers.
TotalEnergies chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanné stated: “I would like to thank the Moroccan authorities for awarding the ‘Chbika’ project and for the trust they have shown in our subsidiary TE H2 and our partners.
“This agreement is part of our strategy to develop production in countries with the most competitive renewable resources, such as Morocco.
“Thanks to its geographical proximity and the quality of its wind and solar resources, Morocco indeed has the best assets to become a major partner for Europe in achieving the goals of the Green Deal, and TotalEnergies aims to contribute to this ambition.”
TE H2 chief executive David Corchia added: “The signing of this preliminary contract for land reservation is a decisive first step for the launch of our investment program in Morocco.
“It demonstrates our commitment to developing green hydrogen initiatives that support the country’s energy transition, industrialization and job creation.
“The Kingdom has the potential to supply affordable and clean energy to Europe while serving its own decarbonized industrial development.
“Our consortium is strong, our overall Moroccan plan is very ambitious, and I look forward to reinforcing further our collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders and pursuing the work on this promising project.”
CIP partner Philip Christiani said: “Morocco stands at the forefront of the global energy transition equipped with all the essential fundamentals to emerge as a key partner for Europe and the world in achieving net zero targets.
“At Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, we are extremely proud to be a part of this initiative with TEH2 and AP Moller Capital and to be selected for the development of the first green hydrogen project under the ‘Offre Maroc’ framework.”
AP Moller Capital chief executive Kim Fejfer added: We are proud to take this important step in the development of the green hydrogen industry in Morocco, building on the AP Møller Group’s long-standing history with the country.
“Developing competitive transport infrastructure is part of what we do and a fundamental part of green hydrogen value chains.
“We are looking forward to bringing this project forward in close collaboration with our strong consortium, Moroccan authorities and other stakeholders.”