The urgent need for cleaner energy is undeniable. While solar and wind power are essential, a truly impactful approach requires exploring all viable options for both energy addition and immediate emissions reduction.
As a hydrogen researcher focused on storage and exploration, I advocate blue and geologic hydrogen as crucial, often underestimated, solutions. These sources offer readily available pathways to significantly add clean energy to our mix and drastically reduce emissions now, complementing other clean energy efforts. Overlooking these hydrogen opportunities hinders our progress towards a sustainable future.
Although preliminary studies have not yet confirmed the presence of commercially viable hydrogen-rich formations in Nigeria, certain geological features indicate that further investigation could reveal significant opportunities for clean energy development—blue and geologic hydrogen.
Blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas with carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), provides a practical and scalable way to add clean energy while achieving substantial emissions reductions. By capturing and storing CO2, we minimise environmental impact and create a cleaner fuel from an existing resource. Utilising current natural gas infrastructure, blue hydrogen can swiftly address emissions across many sectors, not only in heavy industry and heating where electrification is challenging, but also in a wide range of other applications seeking low-carbon solutions. My hydrogen storage research is key to safely and efficiently managing hydrogen at scale.
Geologic hydrogen, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring resource found underground, which presents an even more transformative opportunity. Global discoveries suggest geologic hydrogen could be as significant as natural gas, but carbon-free. Like blue hydrogen, it can leverage existing infrastructure and benefit from advanced storage.
Embracing both blue and geologic hydrogen allows us to diversify our energy sources, enhance energy security, and most importantly, accelerate our path toward significant emissions reduction.
While the hydrogen economy is gaining global momentum, Nigeria—despite its abundant natural gas reserves—continues to lag due to insufficient investments. According to Hydrogen Insights 2023, there were over 1,400 announced hydrogen projects globally. This shows a 44 percent increase compared to the previous year. In addition, Hydrogen Economy Outlook by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) reports that $78 billion was invested in hydrogen in 2022.
To take advantage of this growing financial commitment, Nigeria needs to create a more attractive environment for investors by addressing regulatory challenges, improving infrastructure, and ensuring clear policy frameworks that encourage investment in hydrogen development.
Where does Nigeria fit in? The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) reports that Nigeria’s average daily gas production for 2023 was 6.857 billion cubic feet, providing a strong foundation for blue hydrogen development. However, NUPRC further reported that a significant portion of gas is flared due to inadequate infrastructure. This flared gas could be utilised for blue hydrogen production, which will reduce emissions and generate environmentally friendly and valuable energy.
To fully realise this potential, Nigeria should focus on attracting investments that support its traditional natural gas industry and the development of CCUS infrastructure for cleaner blue hydrogen production. This approach will provide the necessary funding while laying the groundwork for a gradual, sustainable energy addition and emissions reduction.
According to the African Green Hydrogen Alliance (AGHA), Africa has the potential to produce 128 million tonnes of hydrogen equivalent by 2030, showing the significant opportunity for African countries, including Nigeria.
The benefits of embracing both blue and geologic hydrogen are numerous. This includes but not limited to substantial reduction in Nigeria’s carbon footprint, contributing to global climate goals, creation of new industries, jobs, and export opportunities, as well as boosting economic growth. Diversifying energy sources with hydrogen enhances energy security and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Investment in this emerging hydrogen technologies will position Nigeria as a leader in the hydrogen economy, and can further seal her long-term status of an African giant.
To unlock its hydrogen potential, Nigeria needs a comprehensive strategy that includes policy support, investment attraction, research and development, and international collaboration. This will enable Nigeria to transform its vast natural gas reserves into a clean energy powerhouse, driving sustainable development and contributing to a cleaner, more secure energy future for all.
Moses Falowo is a hydrogen and carbon storage researcher at Kansas State University, USA.
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