Can Mauritania generate low-cost electricity and hydrogen through electrolysis?

Renewable Energy Opportunities for Mauritania finds that the country could deploy these resources at scale to generate low-cost renewable electricity and hydrogen through electrolysis.

Does Mauritania use biomass?

In 2003, a study concerning household energy consumption in Mauritania estimated that household energy relies mostly on biomass since it accounts for 87% (59% charcoal and 27,7%) of their overall energy supply. In rural areas, this figure is inverted such as in Guidimakha where 90% of households use wood for domestic cooking.

How does Mauritania get its electricity?

The last 24% is insured by the electricity importation coming from Manantaly hydro power plant based in Mali. In 2011, electricity production stood at 136 megawatts (MW) in Mauritania and was 100% from thermo power. Mauritania aims to increase and diversify its energy sources.

Could renewable generation capacity improve Mauritania's mining operations?

The report’s analysis finds that expanding renewable generation capacity in Mauritania could improve the sustainability of mining operations, which currently represent close to a quarter of the country’s GDP. These operations are energy-intensive, and mines currently rely predominantly on fossil fuels for their electricity supply.

Can Mauritania export hydrogen?

The report outlines three possible pathways for Mauritania to export renewable hydrogen: shipping hydrogen to global markets in the form of ammonia; coupling existing iron ore mining with renewable hydrogen to produce higher-value direct reduced iron for export; and transporting hydrogen to Europe through a pipeline connecting Mauritania to Spain.

How much energy does Mauritania use?

Some projects are emerging to benefit from solar, wind and biomass resources and to increase the access rate to the grid. According to RPTES/World Bank study, consumption of Energy Mauritania stands to 481.000 tonnes of oil equivalent (toe).