Namibia's Green Hydrogen Leap: Building a Sustainable Future Together
Key Ideas
- Namibia is embracing green hydrogen and renewable energy to achieve a green industrialized economy and address its electricity demands.
- Partnerships between Namibia and the EU are focused on energy transition, including the production and import of green hydrogen by 2030.
- Progress is being made with joint private sector projects like Cleanergy and HyIron, aiming for both domestic consumption and potential export.
- The EU is supporting Namibia with infrastructure investments, energy planning, and legal frameworks to foster green industrialization and create local job opportunities.
During the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit in Namibia, European Union commissioner for energy, Kadri Simson, highlighted the country's commitment to a green industrialized economy powered by a just energy transition, where renewable energy and green hydrogen are central. Namibia, despite being a net importer of electricity, has abundant sunshine, making it ripe for renewable energy development. The EU aims to import 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 and sees Namibia as a reliable partner in this endeavor. Joint projects in the Erongo region, like Cleanergy and HyIron, showcase progress in green hydrogen production and the use of solar energy for clean power alternatives and green industrial growth. The EU is supporting Namibia in infrastructure investments, energy planning, and legal frameworks to boost green industrialization, create local jobs, and combat climate change. This partnership aims to not only boost the economy but also provide support to disadvantaged households in the form of solar panels. Namibia's dedication to green industrialization and collaboration with the EU demonstrates a promising future of sustainability and economic development.