Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIA’s active green hydrogen projects are making significant progress, with the largest among them, the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project, already employing 400 people.
In addition to the Hyphen project, seven other green hydrogen projects are currently active in Namibia: Elof Hansson, HDF Energy, HyIron, Zhero, Cleanergy Solutions, Daures Hydrogen Village, and Hyrail.
According to the Namibian Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), an initiative under the Ministry of Mines and Energy aimed at advancing the country’s green hydrogen ecosystem, all active projects have achieved significant milestones.
“The largest and most significant of these is the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project, strategically located in the Tsau //Khaeb National Park. This government-backed initiative stands as a beacon of Namibia’s commitment to green energy, having already employed over 400 individuals and channelled approximately N$170 million into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for essential services,” NGH2P explained.
NGH2P revealed that the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project has reached several pivotal milestones, including completing pre-Front-End Engineering Design, and engineering and installing ten meteorological masts crucial for data collection.
“The project has attracted global interest, with Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed to supply over 1 million tonnes of green ammonia annually,” NGH2P explained.
Regarding HyIron, which aims to produce 15,000 tonnes of direct reduced iron (DRI) each year, NGH2P revealed that it is scheduled to receive Namibia’s first green iron kiln in September 2024.
NGH2P also revealed that the Cleanergy Solutions project, which inaugurated its refuelling station earlier this year, is on track to begin green hydrogen production in the last three months of this year, with 80% of the project already completed. According to NGH2P, the Daures Green Hydrogen Village is also nearing completion, with green hydrogen and ammonia production expected to commence in the last quarter of the year.
“International partnerships are crucial to the success of these projects. A Joint Communiqué of Intent with Germany has already secured €30 million in grants for pilot projects, underscoring Namibia’s growing global cooperation in green hydrogen. Ongoing collaborations with universities and research institutions are critical for driving innovation and ensuring the successful implementation of these initiatives,” NGH2P added.
NGH2P highlighted that local SMEs and consultancies are playing a vital role, ensuring that the solutions developed are tailored to Namibia’s unique conditions, while international donors, alongside technical assistance from the World Bank and UNIDO, continue to provide essential support.
NGH2P added that the development of the necessary infrastructure, including solar and wind farms, desalination plants, and electrolysis facilities, is well underway. They also confirmed that plans for storage, distribution networks, and port facilities at Lüderitz and Walvis Bay are in progress to ensure that Namibia is well-prepared for hydrogen exports.
“The green hydrogen sector is poised to create substantial employment, with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy alone expected to require 15,000 workers during construction and 3,000 permanent employees. Economic modelling suggests the sector could generate 250,000 jobs by 2040, significantly boosting Namibia’s economic growth. Local procurement is a priority, with a target to source 30% of goods and services locally,” NGH2P added.
NGH2P highlighted that the green hydrogen projects are predominantly driven by private sector investment, with the Namibian government holding a 24% stake in key projects like Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, funded by grants.
“The sector anticipates up to USD 40 billion in potential investments, driven by green industrialisation and supported by necessary infrastructure developments such as rail and port expansions. Despite logistical challenges posed by remote project locations and a nascent industry, these issues are being addressed through local workforce training and the timely arrival of essential equipment,” NGH2P added.
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