Hydrogen as a solution for a stable and sustainable low-carbon energy system in Sub-Saharan Africa

Anesu Nicholas Charamba; Denzel Christopher Makepa; Hagreaves Kumba; Joseph Akpan; Oludolapo Olanrewaju

doi:10.1093/ce/zkag006

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Hydrogen as a solution for a stable and sustainable low-carbon energy system in Sub-Saharan Africa

更新时间：2026-06-24

- Hydrogen as a solution for a stable and sustainable low-carbon energy system in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Clean Energy Issue 3, (2026)
- 作者机构：
  
  1. School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand
  2. Department of Fuels and Energy Engineering, Chinhoyi University of Technology
  3. Department of Industrial Engineering, Durban University of Technology
  4. Sustainable Systems Engineering Program, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary
  5. Institute of Systems Science, Durban University of Technology
- 作者简介：
- 基金信息：
- DOI：10.1093/ce/zkag006
  CLC：
- Published：2026
- 稿件说明：
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Anesu Nicholas Charamba, Denzel Christopher Makepa, Hagreaves Kumba, Joseph Akpan, Oludolapo Olanrewaju, Hydrogen as a solution for a stable and sustainable low-carbon energy system in Sub-Saharan Africa, Clean Energy, Volume 10, Issue 3, June 2026, Pages 21–46, https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkag006
DOI：

Anesu Nicholas Charamba, Denzel Christopher Makepa, Hagreaves Kumba, Joseph Akpan, Oludolapo Olanrewaju, Hydrogen as a solution for a stable and sustainable low-carbon energy system in Sub-Saharan Africa, Clean Energy, Volume 10, Issue 3, June 2026, Pages 21–46, https://doi.org/10.1093/ce/zkag006 DOI：

摘要

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable and distributed energy resources in Sub-Saharan Africa has intensified concerns about energy security

frequency deviations

and overall grid instability. Addressing these challenges requires reliable energy storage solutions capable of supporting a stable

low-carbon electricity supply. This study adopts a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to examine the role of hydrogen energy storage systems in enhancing renewable energy integration and advancing decarbonisation across the region. Qualitatively

policy and regulatory preparedness is assessed across twelve Sub-Saharan African countries

while a quantitative decarbonisation cost–benefit analysis evaluates hydrogen’s potential for peak-load management and grid reliability at the national level. Hydrogen storage is proposed as a scalable

low-carbon solution

with South Africa

Kenya

and Ghana emerging as the most promising case studies due to their stronger renewable energy profiles and implementation capacities. The findings show that strategic investment in hydrogen energy storage can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions and improve grid flexibility

although high upfront costs and regulatory constraints remain key barriers. This study contributes a cross-country readiness assessment

empirical evidence of hydrogen’s system-level benefits

and a framework incorporating both green and other hydrogen pathways. These insights highlight the broader applicability of hydrogen storage for developing regions seeking robust

long-term strategies to stabilize renewables-based power systems and accelerate the transition toward low-carbon energy futures.

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