North Africa’s green hydrogen exports to Europe could harm water supply and marine life: study

The massive demand for water will cause the most problems in north Africa, where regional groundwater is already severely depleted. File photo: Special arrangement Green hydrogen is a form of renewable energy that, if taken up widely, could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. It is produced by splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable power. This clean, zero-emissions fuel is mainly used by industries like steel manufacturing and chemical refining. Heavy transport sectors such as maritime shipping, aviation and long-haul trucking could also use it.But green hydrogen comes at an environmental cost too: huge amounts of water are needed to produce it. In Africa, the regions that have the best solar and wind resources to produce this clean energy are also those with the least water on the planet. Published - November 04, 2026 12:01 pm IST