Staff Reporter
On Friday, Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Council launched its green hydrogen strategy, which supports the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change, with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050.
The strategy also fulfils the promise of President Hage Geingob at COP26 Glasgow, Scotland, which reaffirmed Namibia’s support for the adoption of a robust Article 6 at COP26. This critical step would provide the bedrock of an international carbon market mechanism necessary to mobilise large-scale private investment for climate action and to drive crucial
innovation.
Director general of the National Planning Commission Obeth Kandjoze said the Green Hydrogen Council, was tasked with setting up a new industry in Namibia that would “bring a breath of fresh air, an infusion of hope and a shot in the arm of our economy”.
The three main goals of the second Harambee Prosperity Plan’s economic advancement pillar were reiterated by Kandjoze, one of which entails the development of complementary engines of growth, within which the rationale for the formulation of the Green Hydrogen Council is embedded. As chairperson of the council, Kandjoze’s address set the tone for the launch event of Namibia’s green hydrogen strategy, which he said is essentially the roadmap that would chart a clear course on how Namibia will “get to the land of milk and honey in so far as it relates to synthetic fuels”.
At the launch, James Mnyupe, presidential economic advisor, concluded his presentation with a call to action to all stakeholders, local and international, to join hands in solidifying Namibia’s position as a powerhouse with a dynamic green hydrogen industry, given Namibia’s abundant renewable resources and peaceful operating environment.
Mnyupe implored that green hydrogen is a game-changer for Namibia, and it has the potential to become a significant enabler of Namibia’s Vision 2030.
In his keynote address, mines minister Tom Alweendo delved deeper into Namibia’s goal “to create an at-scale green fuels industry with a production target of 10-12 million tonnes per annum hydrogen equivalent by 2050”.
Alweendo further said: “World-class solar and wind resources, vast open spaces and long coastline make Namibia the ideal destination for future green hydrogen development. These conditions give reason for Namibia to be able to produce green hydrogen at highly competitive costs”.
The mines minister highlighted Namibia’s ambitious vision to produce more than green hydrogen. Alweendo went on to state that Namibia’s ambitious vision also extends to the export of other derivatives, such as green ammonia, e-methanol, synthetic kerosene and hot- briquetted iron, including the manufacture of more complex products, such as green zinc and steel.
“As part of Namibia’s long-term strategy, there is an aspiration to develop three hydrogen valleys in the southern region of //Kharas, the central region, including Walvis Bay port and the capital Windhoek, and the northern region of Kunene. Key to the strategy will be the creation and utilisation of molecules for local industrial objectives and decarbonisation of industrial sectors,” explained the minister.
In closing, Alweendo reaffirmed that the Namibia green hydrogen strategy goes beyond just policy but a roadmap to accelerate the recovery of the economy on its way towards an industrialisation agenda to 2030 and beyond.
He urged all Namibians to see the possibilities presented by green hydrogen for Namibia to achieve desired economic growth through the creation of sustainable jobs while reducing carbon emissions.
He described the development of green hydrogen as a path to economic recovery and growth, and an enabler for Namibia to become a net primary energy exporter, unlocking the potential to meet the global demand of 10 million tonnes by 2030.