Like many developing economies, French Guiana, the French overseas territory on the north-eastern coast of South America, is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels. The French Energy Transition for Green Growth Act has as its main objective the development of renewable and clean energy. French Guiana has a wide range of potential renewable energy sources at its disposal. In order take advantage of these opportunities a dynamic market has emerged catering to qualified professionals experienced in the field of renewable energies to take on the challenge and expand this sector in the future.
According to a 2022 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, the renewable energy capacity of French Guiana centres around three main sources, solar, hydro and bioenergy. In 2021, hydro represented 67% of the renewable energy capacity, solar 31% and bioenergy 3%.
Investment in Green Hydrogen
The investment of the European Space Agency (ESA) in the Spaceport located French Guiana is an example of the projects currently underway in the region to promote clean, renewable energy. The project aims to reduce the Spaceports reliance on imported fossil fuels and replace these with green hydrogen to be used as rocket fuel for future launches. Solar PV and Biomass technology will be utilised in the production of green hydrogen to reach the goal of 90% renewable energy production in the base by 2025. This would equate to a production capacity of 130t of green hydrogen per year.
In addition to the production of green hydrogen for use at the Spaceport as rocket fuel, plans to initiate and accelerate green hydrogen production in others area of the French Guiana energy sector are underway. Education and development programs will provide local entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills required to operate and maintain green hydrogen technology powered by renewable energy sources.
Hydroelectricy
Another notable investment is the hydroelectric project in Maripa-Soula. This ambitious project will provide an estimated 12.7 gigawatt hours of power per year to local communities and replace the importation of six million litres of diesel to this remote location. Along with an improved, cleaner, and renewable power supply, the community will benefit from the creation of local jobs and a cleaner environment.
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