Green Hydrogen: A Game-Changer for Zambia's Cooking Fuel Landscape
Key Ideas
- A new study in Zambia suggests green hydrogen from the country's hydropower grid is a cost-effective and inclusive alternative to traditional cooking fuels.
- Green hydrogen production could significantly reduce indoor pollution and deforestation, offering affordable cooking fuel for the population.
- Policy support is crucial to ensure local access to green hydrogen and prevent the focus solely on export markets.
- As costs decline, green hydrogen has the potential to revolutionize Zambia's cooking fuel landscape.
In Zambia, a significant portion of the population relies on charcoal and firewood for cooking despite the country's renewable electricity grid. A recent study proposes green hydrogen as a sustainable and scalable option for cooking fuel. By utilizing Zambia's hydropower-dominated grid to produce green hydrogen, the research suggests a more cost-effective and inclusive approach compared to standalone solar systems. Green hydrogen, created from water and renewable energy sources, has the potential to address indoor pollution, reduce deforestation, and provide a cleaner and more affordable cooking fuel alternative. The study emphasizes the importance of targeted policies to support the adoption of green hydrogen and warns against focusing solely on export markets at the expense of local access and inclusive energy solutions. As the costs of green hydrogen production decrease, it is anticipated to play a significant role in transforming Zambia's cooking fuel landscape for the better.