Namibia Has Eyes on Becoming Hydrogen Superpower

As the international community shifts to green energy, Namibia is poised to become one of the world’s leading player in the green hydrogen industry. With its low production costs, the southern African country may find appealing partners for global interest.

In layman’s words, solar and wind energy will be used to extract hydrogen molecules from desalinated water.

The project will be located in Tsau/Khaeb National Park, a few kilometres from Lüderitz town, and will produce roughly 300,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. The location is not far off from where the desert meets the ocean.

Those hydrogen molecules can be used to generate a number of products, including sustainable fuels, in their pure form or as a derivative green ammonia.

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According to Dr. Stefan Kaufmann, Innovative Commissioner for Green Hydrogen at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Namibia’s production of green hydrogen will cost approximately $2 per kg, a record low.

This will owe to its vast areas of unused land providing strong potential for wind and solar energy, as well as the use of platinum and iridium in its manufacture – platinum group metals found in abundance in the southern African country.

The Government of Namibia chose project development company, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy as its preferred bidder in the $9.4 billion green hydrogen deal.

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy is a joint venture between strategic investment and infrastructure project developer Nicholas Holdings Limited and independent German company Enertag South Africa. The announcement surfaced at this year’s COP26 in early November.

Once the relevant feasibility processes are completed, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy plans to begin production in 2026 and will own the project for 40 years.

The company claims that throughout the four years of building, 15,000 direct employment will be created and 3,000 more would be created during full operations, with 90 percent of the jobs being filled by locals. This in view will subsidise the region’s 55% unemployment rate.

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Mr. James Mnyupe, the presidential economic advisor and hydrogen commissioner for Namibia’s government claimed that Lüderitz’s location is excellent because of its abundant solar and wind resources, as well as its proximity to the ocean, which serves as both a water source and a port.

Mr Mnyupe claims that this is all part of President Hage Geingob’s reform agenda for Namibia.

There are hopes that renewable electricity will be produced, both for export and as a replacement for coal imported from South Africa.

“The idea is to turn Namibia into not just a green hydrogen hub, but into a synthetic fuels industry powerhouse,” he said.

Source: News Agencies