Nouakchott, September 27, 2021 - A memorandum of understanding (“MoU”) was signed today between the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy (Mauritania) and the company CHARIOT, specializing in transitional energies, aiming to achieve one of the largest hydrogen projects in Africa. The new “Noor” project for green hydrogen, which is the subject of the memorandum, will allow the production of up to 10 gigawatts of clean energy and requires the mobilization of a total envelope of up to 3.5 billion of US dollars.

Here are the main components of the partnership project :

• The area allocated to the "Noor" project covers a land (onshore) and marine (offshore) area of ​​approximately 8,600 square kilometers, where pre-feasibility studies will be carried out with the aim of determining the best options for producing gas. electricity from solar and wind power sources using electrolysis which involves fission water particles and producing hydrogen, oxygen and potable water. The traditional way to create hydrogen is to split natural gas into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which is one of the negative factors of climate change.

• CHARIOT will mobilize its technical teams who have demonstrated their efficiency in the successful realization and delivery of large renewable energy projects in Africa and will immediately begin to work on the assessment of technical characteristics, environmental impact as well as studies. macroeconomic and social impact of the future “Nour” project.

• Thanks to its considerable resources in solar and wind energy, the “Noor” project will enable Mauritania to produce the cheapest green hydrogen in Africa and to become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of green hydrogen and of its derivatives, while being close to European markets.

• These products have the potential to replace traditional fossil fuels in the power generation process and chemical industry, with significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

• The parties will work to materialize their partnership, around the “Nour” project, with the aim of forming a world-class consortium.

On the sidelines of the signing, His Excellency Mr. Abdessalam MOHAMED SALEH, Minister of Petroleum, Mines and Energy, said :
“Our country seeks to secure a leading position on the global map of the green hydrogen economy in the coming decades due to its potentials, which include in particular : abundant solar and wind energy, vast desert areas , the proximity to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to its distinguished geographical location, close to European and American markets. "
He added : “The development of the green hydrogen industry in Mauritania promises to bring environmental, economic and social benefits to our country. We have the capacity and the will to make our country a world leader in the production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources. We are pleased to sign this agreement with Chariot and look forward to establishing a long and fruitful partnership. "".

Mr. Adonis Pouroulis, CEO of CHARIOT said :
"I am pleased with this protocol which aims to harness the potential of green hydrogen in Mauritania. CHARIOT has a rich history of previous significant investments and mobilization of global partners for projects, and we look forward to working with the government of Mauritania once again to accelerate the establishment of our partnership through the “Noor” project.

Noor project is expected to be one of the largest such projects in Africa and we look forward to providing updates on the short-term feasibility study and beyond, ”adds Mr. Adonis Boroulis.

The "Noor" project is the second green hydrogen production project in Mauritania after the one concluded with CWP Global, and whose memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday, May 28, 2021.
Mauritania, with its gigantic solar and wind capacities and its vast expanses of desert, ranks first among the countries of the world which are naturally prepared to play a leading role in the production and development of clean energy, particularly green hydrogen.