By : Rasha Hussein – Samah Saeed
AIX-EN-PROVENCE, France From 3 to 4 May, the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Rabat (UM6P) is organising, in collaboration with the University of Aix-Marseille and the CNRS, the 13th edition of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables (TRAM) in Aix-en-Provence, on the theme of "Hydrogen tomorrow: myths and realities". This edition will bring together elected officials, industrial leaders, research and innovation players, students and representatives of civil society around a programme of plenary conferences.
A thousand participants are expected in Aix-en-Provence for this now well-established annual event. The 2023 will explore, beyond the prejudices that may surround it, the challenges and opportunities that green hydrogen represents in the fight against climate change and in the construction of a decarbonised energy model in Europe, Africa and the world. However, Africa will be in the spotlight at this 13th edition, which takes place in a context where several projections show that the African continent could produce up to 50 million tons of green hydrogen per year by 2035 to help secure the world's energy supply, but also create jobs, decarbonise heavy industry and strengthen global competitiveness.
In Africa, hydrogen development is concentrated in three major investment hubs: Egypt, Southern Africa and Morocco. For example, the Cherifian Kingdom has deployed a strategy that aims to decarbonise its heavy industry by investing in the green hydrogen sector.
According to the report "Africa's Extraordinary Green Hydrogen Potential", investing in green hydrogen could reduce carbon emissions in Africa by 40%, avoiding the release of 500 million tonnes of CO2 per year, while contributing to the continent's development.
Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University explains that "Green hydrogen is a source of hope for accelerating the energy transition in Morocco and Africa. We are proud to organise this 13th edition of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables, to introduce citizens to the scientific advances and opportunities of green hydrogen on the African and European continents.
Daniel Nahon, Founder of the Arbois and Mediterranean Round Tables says: "This year, the central theme of green hydrogen is essential to support the challenges of decarbonising economies, green mobility and energy independence. We will have the opportunity to listen to prestigious experts who will share their knowledge in order to offer concrete solutions for European and African economies."
