In a monumental stride towards reshaping the energy landscape in the Horn of Africa, CWP Global, a prominent renewable energy developer, and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti have inked a historic joint declaration.
This declaration, signed on the fringes of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, signifies the acceleration of CWP’s Green Star Hydrogen Hub, a colossal 5-10 GW green hydrogen initiative that carries the potential to redefine Djibouti’s economic and energy future.
The joint declaration outlines immediate priorities crucial for the Green Star Hydrogen Hub’s development. These include resource measurement, socio-economic and environmental impact studies, infrastructure planning, and negotiations on core economic terms. The emphasis on meticulous planning aims to ensure the project’s success and bankability, setting the stage for a paradigm shift in the region’s energy dynamics.
Dubai Joint Declaration: A Commitment to Djibouti’s Economic Transformation
The agreement, encapsulated in the Dubai Joint Declaration, underscores the profound impact the Green Star Hydrogen Hub will have on Djibouti’s economic diversification. This includes the creation of high-skilled jobs, infrastructural investments, and the provision of affordable power and water. The project is positioned not merely as an energy initiative but as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity in Djibouti.
Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi, highlighted the country’s geostrategic advantages. Situated at the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, Djibouti boasts significant solar and wind power resources, abundant land, and easy access to the sea. Guedi envisions Djibouti as a hub for green hydrogen production, catering to the bustling shipping lanes of the Bab El Mandeb Strait.
Alex Hewitt, CEO of CWP Global, expressed the significance of the collaboration as a pivotal moment not just for Africa but for the global community. The Green Star Hydrogen Hub, he emphasized, is more than an energy project—it’s a bold statement of intent. By leveraging Djibouti’s renewable resources and strategic location, the project aims to position Africa at the forefront of the global energy transition.
Hewitt envisions the project as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification, unlocking a cascading series of local gains for Djiboutians. Beyond energy independence, the Green Star Hydrogen Hub seeks to reimagine energy systems, paving the way for sustainable energy sources and establishing Africa as a leader in the renewable energy sector.
CWP Global’s extensive portfolio includes a planned combined renewable power generation capacity of nearly 200 GW. Earlier this year, the company secured a strategic investment from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in its green hydrogen business. This marked a 26.67% stake acquisition by CIP, reinforcing the global interest and confidence in CWP Global’s ultra-large-scale green hydrogen hubs across Africa, Australia, and the Americas.
As the collaboration advances, the Green Star Hydrogen Hub stands as a testament to the transformative power of sustainable energy initiatives, poised to reshape not only Djibouti’s future but also contribute significantly to the global push for a greener and more sustainable world.