Namibia bets big on Green Hydrogen – issues RFP for projects

The President of Namibia, Hage Geingob, this week officially launched requests for proposals (RFP) for the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia (GH&A) projects in the ǁKaras Region of the country.

Present at the launch was the chairperson of the recently formed Green Hydrogen Council (GHC) of Namibia, Obeth Kandjoze. 

Namibia joins South Africa, Egypt, Mauritania and a few other African countries who are making tremendous strides towards the establishment of a hydrogen economy in their respective countries. 

Touted as the “fuel of the future”, green hydrogen will be essential in the world’s quest to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector and achieve Net-Zero.

Preliminary estimates indicate that Namibia has the potential to produce about 2.5 million metric tonnes of green ammonia annually. The country expects to attract more than US$6 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) based on its green ammonia and green hydrogen production potential.

Namibia is endowed with an abundance of land, solar and wind energy resources. The country’s renewable energy potential makes it a top contender in the race for green hydrogen production in Africa. 

“When combined with its access to a seaport and vast open land, Namibia is ranked as one of the best countries in the world to produce GH&A,” said Obeth Kandjoze, chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council (GHC).

“Namibia is thus strategically positioned to benefit from a significant inflow of FDI and has a great opportunity to foster the establishment of a new industry,” Kandjoze added.

Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Council (GHC) is collaborating with Germany’s ministry of education and research to advance the establishment of a green hydrogen industry in the Southern African country. Germany is set to invest about N$680 million (40 million euros) to fund feasibility studies across Namibia. The Germans will also partially fund key pilot plants and help establish a Namibian Green Hydrogen Research Institute