In a significant move toward sustainable energy practices, plans to introduce green hydrogen into the heavy-duty gas turbines at a Moroccan power plant are currently under examination through a newly established Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). GE Vernova, the Moroccan National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), and power generation company Nareva have joined forces to initiate a feasibility study aimed at developing solutions for the decarbonization of ONEE’s Laâyoune Power Plant.

Situated in the Laâyoune province, the 99MW power plant relies on three GE Vernova 6B heavy-duty gas turbines. This collaborative effort seeks to explore the possibility of these turbines becoming the first in Africa to utilize green hydrogen. The trio, under the terms of the agreement, will conduct techno-economic evaluation studies with the objective of transitioning the plant from heavy oil fuel to hydrogen. In the initial phases of this collaboration, the primary focus will be on converting the turbine to operate solely on 100% hydrogen.

The anticipated timeframe for completing this assessment is two years. The insights garnered from this evaluation will then pave the way for the comprehensive integration of gas turbines with green hydrogen, with the ultimate goal of achieving complete decarbonization of the Laâyoune plant. This pilot project holds the promise of significantly reducing the plant’s emissions while simultaneously enabling Morocco to make strides in the decarbonization of its power sector.

This collaborative initiative is a milestone, marking a crucial step towards expediting the integration of hydrogen into the national energy mix. The ultimate aim is to reduce the country's dependence on conventional power sources and mitigate carbon emissions associated with power generation activities. Over the past two decades, more than 30 6B turbines worldwide have successfully operated on hydrogen, establishing it as an ideal candidate for this groundbreaking project.

The inherent flexibility of gas turbines positions them as valuable assets that can complement variable renewable energy sources, contributing to grid stability through the provision of reliable power. The pilot project's success holds the potential to revolutionize power generation dynamics not only for Morocco but also serves as an example of the pivotal role hydrogen can play in the broader decarbonization efforts globally.

Beyond its impact in Morocco, hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key player in decarbonizing power systems worldwide. In the UK, for instance, hydrogen is emerging as a low-carbon alternative to gas-fired generation, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to power generation needs. As nations around the globe seek cleaner energy alternatives, hydrogen continues to gain traction as a versatile and impactful component in the quest for a sustainable energy future.