The federal government has indicated its intent to incorporate hydrogen fuel into the industrial development of Nigeria as part of its efforts to enhance the renewable energy investments along with innovation in the country.
Against this context, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, joined a high-level international dialogue in China recently so as to talk about practical pathways in terms of hydrogen implementation, cross-regional collaboration, and development of an ecosystem.
The minister also held discussions with the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association – IHFCA as well as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation – UNIDO on hydrogen development efforts.
He also visited EMT Madrid, which has a groundbreaking green hydrogen plant as well as a refuelling station on nearly 50,000 square metres.
EMT is the first municipal hydrogen bus facility in Europe, encompassing the whole green hydrogen cycle – manufacturing, compression, and storage as well as distribution, described a statement.
The plant besides contributing towards industrial development of Nigeria, produces green hydrogen through water electrolysis using a massive 2,780-panel solar array, resulting in the facility being 100% energy self-sufficient, the statement clarified. It also has high-pressure 350 bar CETIL dispensers that are capable of refuelling a city bus in under ten minutes.
The statement further explained that it has been built completely by Spanish engineering companies, backed by European Union funds, with an investment of over €17.2mn, and powers a fleet of 10 hydrogen buses for the citizens of Madrid.
The event was hosted by the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association – IHFCA, which is an international, non-profit academic organization founded by companies, research institutions, and industry organizations covering all aspects of the hydrogen value chain. It was established and formally registered in July 2022 and supervised by the China Association for Science and Technology – CAST. Its secretariat is located in Beijing, China.