Innovating in decarbonized hydrogen: signing of a partnership between AFD, IRESEN and SATT Paris-Saclay
HIBAPRESS-RABAT
The Institute for Research in Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), the Paris-Saclay Technology Transfer Acceleration Company (SATT Paris-Saclay), and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a tripartite agreement to support Franco-Moroccan applied research projects in the field of decarbonized hydrogen.
Supported by a donation of 800,000 euros from the AFD and the French Treasury, this agreement provides for the launch, in the 4th quarter of 2024, of a call for innovative projects dedicated to the decarbonized hydrogen sector. This financing contributes to the development of a decarbonized and sustainable economy in Morocco, which is ideally positioned to become a key player in this sector of the future.
Announced last April during the visit of Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, this partnership reaffirms the importance of Morocco as a privileged partner of France, Europe and Africa in meeting the challenge of the energy transition and the decarbonization of our economies.
During the signing ceremony held in Rabat this Thursday, July 4, in the presence of Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco, the partners stressed the importance of this agreement for the promotion of applied research and technological innovation.
This is part of a broader dynamic of bilateral cooperation aimed at supporting Morocco’s energy transition strategy and developing innovative technological solutions to address global climate challenges. By making a significant contribution to the Kingdom’s energy transition, this agreement illustrates the desire of the two countries to work closely together for a more sustainable future.
The call for projects will enable the selection and support for three years of innovative initiatives, led by Franco-Moroccan teams.
Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco, said: “This cooperation will promote the emergence of new Franco-Moroccan partnerships between research centers, academic circles or industrial players in this strategic sector of decarbonized hydrogen.”
Quiterie Pincent, AFD Director in Morocco, added: “Climate change requires us to promote a low-carbon economy. The development of research on the green hydrogen value chain contributes to this transition and constitutes an additional opportunity to support the Kingdom’s ambitions.”
IRESEN, a leading agency for innovation in the field of energy transition, will be responsible for ensuring the administrative and technical management of the call for projects, through financial and technological support for the selected projects, and access to shared expertise and infrastructure, in particular the platform dedicated to R&D in Decarbonized Hydrogen “GREEN H2A”. In addition, the involvement of the Paris-Saclay Technology Transfer Acceleration Company (SATT) will enrich this partnership in terms of valorization and transfer of the technologies developed towards commercialization and marketing.
Samir Rachidi, Director General of IRESEN, stated: “By implementing this call for market-oriented applied research projects, we hope to bring out decarbonized hydrogen technologies and transform them into marketable industrial products. We are thus strengthening our participation in the development of the sector.”
Xavier Apolinarski, President of SATT Paris-Saclay, spoke from Orsay: “SATT Paris-Saclay, in partnership with the IRESEN teams in charge of this call for projects, will ensure the analysis of the potential for the valorization of the proposed applied research projects, the valorization of the results of selected projects and the successful transfer of technologies to the market.”
This tripartite agreement represents a decisive step towards a decarbonized economy, consolidating ties between France and Morocco and opening the way to new opportunities for innovation and sustainable development.
