The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Net Zero Framework (NZF) can create significant incentives for electrification and strengthen support for the 35-by-35 COP31 electrification goal. The report "Electrification Investment from the IMO Net Zero Framework - A Case Study of the Grand Inga Hydropower Project," by the UCL Energy Institute's Shipping and Oceans Research Group, explores two opportunities for electricity supply from the Grand Inga project in line with marine decarbonization efforts.
Electrification Opportunities in the Grand Inga Project
The Grand Inga hydropower project in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been stagnant for years due to a lack of large and reliable electricity demand to support project financing. This report shows that while cold ironing presents an attractive local opportunity for carbon reduction, green ammonia production could provide the scale of demand needed to support future phases of the project while also opening export markets in Africa, Europe, and the marine fuel sector.
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Key Findings and Impacts on Industry and Policymakers
Under the IMO NZF, cold ironing offers a competitive and immediate solution for adaptation and a strong business case for investment in electrification in Congo. Demand for cold ironing could generate electrification demand that helps unlock related investments in supply and grid in both developing and developed countries.
Furthermore, the IMO NZF could facilitate investment in the use of renewable electricity to create green ammonia supply. The estimated low electricity costs at Grand Inga, combined with high supply reliability (high utilization of production), make it an attractive investment opportunity. Weakening the IMO NZF could undermine electrification opportunities, and any reduction in GFI stringency could call into question the business cases related to cold ironing and green ammonia electrification projects.
Opportunities that extend beyond shipping, renewable electricity, and related investments in electrification and green ammonia produced at Grand Inga could also supply electricity and fertilizer markets in Central and Eastern Africa, as well as provide opportunities for domestic electrification and international exports.
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