Niël Terblanché
President Hage Geingob, while on a proactive and forward-looking visit to the Erongo Region, gave a ringing endorsement of Namibia’s commitment to the green industrial revolution.
The President’s tour on Wednesday encompassed various industrial facilities, offering a snapshot of the nation’s rapid progression toward sustainable energy solutions.
Expressing satisfaction with the nation’s stride toward green industrialisation, President Geingob highlighted the cohesive approach by key stakeholders. Namibia’s main ports, pivotal in advancing new green energy technologies, were particularly interesting to the President.
“The newly discovered oil resources off our coast will be instrumental in our economic future. However, our main excitement revolves around green hydrogen production,” he said.
During his visit to the Namibian Ports Authority (NamPort) headquarters in Walvis Bay, the President engaged in discussions with Andrew Kanime, NamPort’s Chief Executive Officer.
The President concluded the nation’s main ports will rise in significance while bolstering Namibia’s status as a major hydrogen supplier globally.
President Geingob firmly believes in the country’s potential to produce clean hydrogen, seeing it as a solution to alleviate the challenges of persistent drought and the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“By the end of my term in 2024, I foresee a robust economic landscape for Namibia, owing significantly to our energy potential,” he declared.
Kanime, echoing the President’s sentiments, revealed NamPort’s ongoing preparations for the transit of construction materials for renewable energy projects, including wind turbines and solar power stations.
“Our infrastructural upgrades are concurrent with our vision to expedite the export of hydrogen gas,” Kanime stated.
He stressed the need for land allocation to facilitate the infrastructure necessary for hydrogen export.
Namibia’s green hydrogen aspirations promise to reshape both Walvis Bay and Lüderitz into bustling industrial hubs.
“This green transition will undoubtedly stimulate both ports and redefine their roles in the nation’s industrial narrative,” added Kanime.
Aside from the ports, President Geingob toured the recently completed Walvis Bay Oil Storage Facility and the Erongo Desalination Plant (EDP).
Tommie Gouws, Orano Mining’s Managing Director, accentuated the increasing freshwater demands with the surge in the hydrogen economy.
“The EDP, the largest of its kind in Southern Africa, stands prepared to meet the requirements of the budding green hydrogen industry,” Gouws assured the President.
In a notable green initiative, Orano Mining Namibia has brokered a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement with InnoSun Energy Holdings.
This partnership involves the creation of a 10 MW solar plant, which will energize the EDP. This endeavour is expected to make water provision more economical and environmentally friendly in the long run.
President Geingob said that he is optimistic about the prospects of Namibia’s green future which will be reinforced by strategic collaboration and visionary leadership.
