The National Unity Democratic Organisation has thrown its weight behind government’s green hydrogen project and called for its fast implementation, believing it would help turn around the domestic economy.
A Nudo delegation led by party president Utjiua Muinjangue visited State House yesterday on invitation of President Hage Geingob, who is engaging political parties on the country’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery plans, with an emphasis on the green hydrogen project.
Muinjangue said: “The green hydrogen (project) will also create more employment for people, and this is a much-needed act to help curb the high unemployment rate Namibia is experiencing, and also improving the country’s living conditions.”
She further applauded the interest from international investors, saying investing in green hydrogen will foster technological industrial development in Namibia as well.
“Now that we are briefed, we are in a better position to explain to the nation about this massive project and its effect,” said Muinjangue.
Geingob said the Namibian government is focusing on efforts of achieving large-scale, low-cost renewable energy development, and designing models for sustainably maximising fiscal revenue and local development in renewable energy investments and green ammonia production.
Namibia’s world-class solar and wind resources give it a long-term competitive advantage in producing green hydrogen and green ammonia.
At the same occasion, economic advisor to the President and green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe stated that Namibia is also pursuing an opportunity where it wants to bring zinc from the Northern Cape into Rosh Pinah.
“Here, Namibia can refine zinc using potentially renewable energy. Over time, Namibia can start producing green zinc, export it into the global market and actually get a premium. Ammonia can be used to produce fertilisers, and we would like to use those fertilisers in our green schemes,” he added.
Mnyupe noted that one of the things which excite the international investment community the most is the opportunity to export clean power. Currently, Namibia imports about 60% to 70% of power from the Southern African Power Pool. Most of that comes from South Africa, which, according to him, significantly contributes to emissions.
The European Union (EU) admires the presented green future of Namibia so much that they want to sign a strategic memorandum of understanding to develop the green hydrogen industry and to source critical raw materials from Namibia, he enthused.
“There are assigned 15 directors-general from the EU which the government will start engaging next week Tuesday to try and unlock EU investment in Namibia for this green hydrogen,” Mnyupe explained.