Dakhla leads in green hydrogen production cost, study shows

Dakhla recorded the most competitive levelized cost of hydrogen LCOH at $10.62 per kilogram, while Tangier reached $15.63 per kilogram. Benguerir and El Jadida fell between these figures. The study, conducted by Moroccan researchers, indicates that the economic competitiveness of green hydrogen is primarily driven by the geography of local solar and wind resources, rather than technological choices.

Dakhla benefits from strong and stable solar and wind potential throughout the year. The methodology used three metaheuristic optimization algorithms to minimize LCOH under reliability constraints. An analysis identified the discount rate and battery characteristics as key factors influencing competitiveness.

Beyond cost, the study highlights significant environmental benefits: green hydrogen produced in Dakhla's modeled autonomous hybrid system generates 2.27 kg of CO2 per kilogram of hydrogen, a 94.4% reduction compared to production using the current Moroccan electricity mix 41.12 kg CO2. This underscores the importance of the national electricity mix in decarbonization efforts. Morocco, which imported nearly 90% of its energy needs in 2022, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5% by 2030.

The "Offre Maroc" framework supports green hydrogen investments. Globally,