The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development wants Namibia to shift its focus to strengthening partnerships as it goes from planning to executing its green energy sector.
Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele said this is to ensure investment readiness and align stakeholders around a unified vision.
Officiating the high-level stakeholders' meeting at Walvis Bay, !Nawases-Taeyele noted that Namibia's ambition to become a global leader in green energy has taken a significant step forward.
!Nawases-Taeyele said the Green Hydrogen Commission, established by the government, continues to lead efforts to develop a competitive green economy that promotes job creation and energy independence.
"Furthermore, it plays an essential role in driving innovation across the sector, facilitating cutting-edge research and the adoption of best practices that will contribute to the establishment of a robust and resilient green hydrogen economy. Through these efforts, the Commission not only aims to position Namibia as a leader in the green hydrogen market but also to ensure that the benefits of this transformative technology are felt widely throughout the country and beyond."
She highlighted that the pilot project in Walvis Bay, launched in partnership with the global hydrogen technology firm CMB Tech last year, has already demonstrated hydrogen's practical application.
"This innovative initiative focuses on hydrogen production and its application within maritime transport, an area where we see immense potential for growth and sustainability. Through this pilot project phase, we have not only proven the concept but have also rigorously tested our technology under real-world conditions."
The Impact, Environmental, Social, and Governance Programme Executive for Namibia Green Hydrogen, Eline van der Linden, announced the support for Arandis.
The support was announced as Arandis town also prepares to become a hub for green hydrogen development.
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"Arandis Town Council is demonstrating clear foresight in its Strategic Plan, and the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme is supporting these plans, inter alia, by creating functional models for Common User Infrastructure (CUI) in the Erongo Region," said Van der Linden, adding that "CUI comes in many shapes and forms and is multi-sectoral in nature. CUI includes pipelines and storage tanks for water, hydrogen, ammonia, and other derivatives. It covers port, railway, road, and power infrastructure and may include handling and storage facilities."
The next phase of the project is expected to open new employment opportunities, improve technical skill development, and support small and medium enterprises, particularly in the Erongo Region.