WASCAL BUILDING CAPACITIES FOR WELL-QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS IN GREEN HYDROGEN

Mrs. Oda Keppler, Head of Sub-division Sustainability from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany (BMBF) has stated that for green hydrogen to be a success, the sector needs well-qualified professionals and that the selection of the WASCAL first batch of green hydrogen scholars in West Africa was a step in the right direction, citing each scholar as an ambassador and architect for a green energy supply for their home continent and home countries.

She was speaking at the Julich Research Centre in Germany during the onboarding event of 59 WASCAL Green Hydrogen scholars from 15 West African countries.

Mrs. Keppler also stressed the critical role green hydrogen was set to play in the global energy sector soon.

“The hydrogen economy is paving the way to global climate neutrality. And that’s not all: The transformation of the energy system opens up great development potential for business and society, both for us in Germany and for you in West Africa. We find ourselves at the dawn of a massive energy transition. Africa has the potential to become a new global actor in the emerging market for green energy. This is a historic opportunity – and a challenge.”  She said.

She again recalled the importance of green hydrogen in other key areas of the global economy.

“Green hydrogen makes it possible to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions in many areas: industry, transport, and energy. That is to say, in precise terms, those sectors in which electrification is difficult or not economical. Green hydrogen can be a real game-changer here. It has the potential to become the oil, gas and coal of the future.” She emphasized.

She further stressed on the successful collaborative efforts between West Africa and Germany in finding the next generation of scientists to champion the cause of green hydrogen.

“This international study program focuses on the value chain for green hydrogen – from production to storage, transport and use. With this, we are jointly creating important conditions in your home countries to train a new generation of experts and managers for companies, research institutions and administration who will prepare the energy sector in Western Africa for green hydrogen.” She concluded.