Chariot, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and Oort Energy have agreed to collaborate on green hydrogen pilot projects in Morocco.

Utilising a polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyser system, patented by Oort, which splits water to produce hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy, the three parties will run initial proof of concept projects while evaluating the feasibility of the implementation of large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production.

It is intended that one of the pilot projects will be hosted at the research and development unit at OCP Group’s facilities at Jorf Lasfar. The OCP Group is a Moroccan state-owned phosphate rock miner, phosphoric acid manufacturer and fertiliser producer.

In August, the UK-based mining company Rainbow Rare Earths announced that it had entered into a master agreement with OCP Group and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.

Under the terms of the agreement, the three parties will attempt to develop better ways of extracting rare earth elements from phosphogypsum.

Phosphogypsum contains rare earths and is a by-product of phosphoric acid production.