The memorandum of understanding, which does not include a time frame or targets for the project, aims to build on BP's presence in a country where it is already developing a large liquefied natural gas facility.
Under the plan, BP will initially study the feasibility of building onshore wind and solar farms that are required for production of green hydrogen, which is produced by electrolysis using renewable energy. The studies will cover the availability and quality of wind and solar resources in large areas in the northwest of the country, said a statement from Mauritania's oil ministry.
The potential production capacity targeted by the project could reach up to 30 GW, for the production of 2 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen, if the studies are conclusive, it said.