Giga-scale Mauritania hydrogen project moves forward with feasibility study

Chariot Energy has presented a feasibility study to the Mauritania government for the 10GW Project Nour green hydrogen project which confirmed plans for a phased development, starting with an electrolysis capacity of 1.6GW.

by Janet Wood 28 March 2024

The deep-sea port of Nouadhibou could have a new lease of life exporting green ammonia (Image credit: Raquel Maria Carbonell Pagola/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Building on a pre-feasibility study completed in 2022, Chariot Energy plans to build up to 10GW of electrolysis – starting with a first-phase renewable capacity of 3GW, powering up to 1.6GW of electrolysis capacity – to produce 150kt of green hydrogen per annum. 

The Africa-focused ‘transitional energy group’ holds 50% of Project Nour through its fully owned subsidiary, Chariot Green Hydrogen. The other 50% is held by TEH2, owned by TotalEnergies (80%) and EREN Group (20%). 

The project is being developed with Mauritania's ministry of petroleum, energy and mines.

Overseas markets

Hydrogen from Project Nour may be used for domestic steel production, but the feasibility study also supported producing green ammonia and shipping it to customers overseas.

Exports are viewed favourably given Mauritania's geographical proximity to Europe and the existing deep-sea port at Nouadhibou.

The next steps for the project include completion of the investment framework, an engineering conceptual study and offtake negotiations. 

“Mauritania has just taken an important step forward on the path to realising its green hydrogen ambitions,” said Nani Chrougha, minister of petroleum, mines and energy. 

“We are fully committed to the development of this sector; our aim is to be the largest producer and exporter of hydrogen on the African continent and we believe that Project Nour could support this objective,” he added. 

Chrougha noted that Mauritania has received considerable support from the European Commission. The country was selected as a key partner in the EU’s Global Gateway initiative for future hydrogen exports and green steel production.

Chariot has signalled a potential full or partial sale or demerger of its Transitional Power subsidiary, which is focused on the South African energy market, but has said it will retain its green hydrogen division. 

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