HDF Energy, a company specializing in large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure and high-power fuel cells, has announced the start of development studies for the first green hydrogen power plant in Kenya.

The plant will be located in the coastal region and will have a capacity of 180 MW of solar PV and 500 MWh of long-term hydrogen-based storage. The estimated investment is $500 million.

The plant will use solar energy to produce green hydrogen through water electrolysis. The green hydrogen will then be stored and used to generate electricity on-demand using HDF’s proprietary multi-megawatt fuel cells. HDF’s Renewstable power plant is designed to provide clean, stable power in regions where geothermal or hydropower resources are unavailable.

The plant will use a combination of solar PV panels, electrolyzers for green hydrogen production and storage, high-power fuel cells, and lithium-ion batteries. The solar PV panels will generate electricity during the day. The electricity will then be used to power the electrolyzers, which will split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen will be stored in a long-term H2 storage system. At night, the hydrogen will be converted back to electricity using the hydrogen fuel cells. The lithium-ion batteries will provide power during peak demand and ensure electricity stability.

The development of the first green hydrogen power plant in Kenya is a significant milestone. The plant has the potential to help Kenya to reduce its carbon footprint, create jobs, boost the local economy, and develop its green hydrogen economy.