KEETMANSHOOP - Creating 18 000 direct employment opportunities, pumping N$60 billion into local procurement over a four-year construction period and paying annual land rental fees up to a maximum of N$330 million, the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project in the //Kharas region holds significant potential as a catalyst for economic recovery. 

This perception was how subject experts and line ministers summarised envisaged benefits from the transformative green hydrogen project during the recent launch of Hyphen’s Socio-Economic Development Framework in the administrative capital of the
//Kharas region.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze said government committed itself to investigating the feasibility of a green hydrogen industry in the Tsau/Khaeb National Park as part of the Southern Corridor Development initiative. 

“Today’s launch of the Socio–Economic Development (SED) framework marks a significant milestone for our social progression objectives through infrastructure development and economic advancement,” Kandjoze explained to stakeholders present. 

He added that this transformative initiative comes at a time when Namibians, in particular //Kharas residents, need prosperity for all as articulated in the Harambee Prosperity Plan.  

“Today, we celebrate the outcome of all preliminary negotiations in what we now refer to as the SED framework, a framework that will outline targeted benefits and opportunities that the first giga-scale hydrogen project presents to various Namibian stakeholders, including local communities, businesses and the youth,” he said.  

The director general also referred to tangible benefits of the project, such as the creation of 15 000 new jobs during the construction phase and 3 000 permanent jobs during operation. 

The target is for 90% of these jobs to be filled by Namibians, with 20% specifically targeted for youth. 

Kandjoze, who is also the chairperson of Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Council, continued that beyond indirect project benefits, Namibia will also enjoy land rental fees of up to N$100 million per year during the feasibility studies, with the first rentals expected before the end of this year.  

“After that, annual land rentals will increase to N$330 million per year for the duration of the 40-year concession,” he said. 

He also said additional fiscal contributions include environmental levies, taxes and profit sharing, should government exercise its equity option.