This joint project involves carrying out a feasibility study whose aim will be to develop common solutions to decarbonize ONEE’s Laâyoune power plant, which is powered by three high-performance GE Vernova type 6B gas turbines. , indicates a joint press release.
The plant would thus be the first in Africa to use green hydrogen to power GE Vernova’s 6B gas turbines, specifies the same source, noting that this project is part of efforts to support the energy transition of Morocco towards a low-carbon future, particularly in the electricity production sector, adds the same source.
As part of this agreement, ONEE, Nareva and GE Vernova will undertake technico-economic evaluation studies to convert the 99 megawatt (MW) Laâyoune thermal power plant, currently fueled by heavy fuel oil, for operation on hydrogen.
Initially, the collaboration will focus on the gas turbine which will be converted for 100% hydrogen operation. The study, expected to be completed within two years, aims to explore a holistic solution integrating the entire production value chain to provide 100% green hydrogen by volume to power the gas turbine during peak periods. consumption.
The results of the assessment could pave the way for the large-scale integration of gas turbines with green hydrogen with the aim of achieving 100% decarbonization of the Laâyoune power plant.
The province of Laâyoune is experiencing rapid development, particularly through projects focused on renewable energy, and there is growing interest in hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Morocco aims to increase renewable electricity production from its current share of 40% to 52% by 2030.
“Morocco is strengthening its position among the world leaders in sustainable energy, with ambitious low-carbon energy projects. The current installed capacity of renewable sources is 4,672 MW. As for projects currently under development or construction throughout the country, they total an installed capacity of 5,065 MW,” declared the director general of ONEE, Abderrahim El Hafidi, quoted in the press release.
And added: “The project should allow Morocco to progress on the decarbonization of its electricity system by launching a first pilot and innovative project to decarbonize a power plant running on heavy fuel oil. This agreement constitutes an important step in paving the way for the “acceleration of the integration of hydrogen into the national energy mix, thus making it possible to reduce both dependence on conventional energy and greenhouse gas emissions.”
For the president and CEO of Nareva, Aymane Taud, “Nareva will build on its leadership in the field of renewable energies to continue to actively contribute to the advancement of national energy objectives and the competitive decarbonization of the continent.” “We are excited to explore complementary opportunities between renewable energy, hydrogen production and efficient gas combustion technologies to enable our country to have efficient, flexible and low-CO2 emitting power plants,” he said. he added.
For his part, the President and CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Joseph Anis, said he was “delighted to collaborate with ONEE and Nareva to develop this one-of-a-kind project and support Morocco’s climate change commitments. With nearly 30 GE Vernova 6B gas turbines having run on hydrogen over the past two decades, this installed fleet is ideally suited to the project. project”.
“We look forward to joining forces to provide a reliable, lower-carbon source of reserve energy, which will also help mitigate electricity grid variability. The rapid growth of renewable energy is challenging grid managers and suppliers energy the increasingly difficult task of ensuring the permanent stability of the electricity grid. Highly flexible gas turbines can complement more variable renewable energies, and thus help to stabilize the grid with a reliable power supply. he argued.