Energy – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

30 Sep

Namibia eyes global leadership in green hydrogen production

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyElon Musk, Green Hydrogen, James Mnyupe

Hertta-Maria Amutenya Namibia is positioning itself as a major player in the global green hydrogen economy, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources to power the production of this clean fuel. In recent discussions with leading innovators such as Tesla founder Elon Musk, Namibia’s commissioner for green hydrogen, James Mnyupe, outlined the country’s vision for the future of green hydrogen. The meeting, which took place during a high-level event in New York last month, focused on Tesla’s Energy Master Plan Part 3. Mnyupe emphasised that the country's Green Hydrogen Blueprint aligns closely with Musk’s vision, highlighting that Namibia’s abundant natural resources…

29 Sep

Ministry of mines and energy assures investor stability

ObserverEnergy, National News

Ester Mbathera The executive director of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Penda Ithindi, has reassured investors that Namibia is committed to maintaining stability in the sector beyond the elections. Ithindi was addressing questions posted by the Windhoek Observer last week regarding the potential impact of the upcoming November elections on Namibia's oil and gas industry. “Namibia is governed by the rule of law, and all decisions are made within the confinement of the law and by the Constitution. Namibia has seen change in leadership four times already, and no disruption has occurred during those times,” he said. He assured…

23 Sep

NAMPOA empowers journalists with in-depth insights into oil and gas industry

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyEnvironmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

Niël Terblanché As Namibia’s upstream petroleum industry continues to grow, driven by significant offshore discoveries, public interest has surged. Along with growing interest comes a pressing need for the media to provide accurate, well-informed coverage of the sector. In response, the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA) is hosting a press seminar aimed at enhancing journalists’ understanding of the oil and gas industry, particularly its upstream operations. Scheduled for 24 September 2024, this seminar seeks to bridge the information gap between the oil and gas industry and the public by equipping media professionals with the tools necessary for informed reporting. The…

23 Sep

A 50MW solar power plant to be constructed near Ruacana

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyCathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd

Martin Endjala A 50-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant is set to be constructed near Ruacana if a proposal to build it is approved. Cathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd. (CI77), plans to develop a 50 MW solar power plant on a site at the NamPower Kunene substation in the Omusati region. “The plant is not for local supply, but it's for international supply and central Namibia,” Enviro Dynamics’s environmental consultant, Norman Van Zyl said during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday. Enviro Dynamics has been instructed to apply for an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) on behalf of CI77.…

19 Sep

Hyphen targeting to supply excess electricity to grid

ObserverEnergy, Observer MoneyENERTRAG SE, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Nicholas Holdings Limited

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, the green hydrogen development company has been awarded the rights from the government following a competitive tender process, to develop Namibia’s first gigawatt scale green hydrogen project. Hyphen is a joint venture between controlling shareholder ENERTRAG SE and Nicholas Holdings Limited. This week, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy informed Windhoek Money that the Hyphen’s project is being developed as the first step in the implementation of the government’s strategy for the development of a large-scale green hydrogen industry in various regions in Namibia to support both economic growth in Namibia and assist the world in achieving its decarbonisation goals.…

15 Sep

TransNamib temporarily pauses dual-fuel locomotive project

ObserverEnergy, National NewsNamibia's Green Hydrogen Programme

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national transporter, TransNamib has decided to pause its ambitious dual fuel locomotive project as part of a strategic shift aimed at focusing on its core objectives, including the procurement of new rolling stock worth N$2.6 billion and plans to more than double its annual freight volume over the next five years. The decision was made to allow the national rail operator to channel its resources towards immediate priorities critical for the country’s rail infrastructure and economic development. The decision to reassess the dual fuel project was confirmed by James Mnyupe, the commissioner of Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme…

05 Sep

Namibia secures N$730 million for green hydrogen future

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Kadri Simson, Tom Alweendo

Martin Endjala Tom Alweendo, the minister of mines and energy, said continuous investment in the country’s green hydrogen projects strongly contradicts the belief that the development of a synthetic fuel industry in Namibia is merely a pipe dream. Alweendo made these remarks on Wednesday at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, where Team Europe signed an agreement to contribute N$730 million to advance Namibia's green industrialisation agenda. “Some people think we are going too slow, but we are also trying to go systematically to ensure we achieve what we need to be achieving,” Alweendo said. He said that the country reaches…

04 Sep

Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

ObserverEnergy, National NewsGlobal African Hydrogen Summit, Harambee Prosperity Plan

Niël Terblanché Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation was the focal point of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit currently in progress in Windhoek. While addressing delegates on Wednesday, she stressed that environmental protection is both a natural responsibility and a constitutional obligation for Namibia, as the country strives to balance economic growth with ecological care. “For the past 34 years, Namibia has worked strategically to industrialise its economy sustainably and competitively,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the nation has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its developmental objectives. “This approach is…

03 Sep

Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

ObserverEnergy, National NewsElectricity Control Board, Promulgation of the Renewable Energy Grid Code

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board's (ECB) chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, has called on players in the electricity supply industry to stay informed about the latest technology in the industry. Kahimise was speaking at the stakeholder workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, which was focused on the review and update of the distribution grid code and connection code that took place. ‘’As you all know, the current distribution grid code was promulgated in 2018 and has not been reviewed since then. However, there have been a lot of changes and technological advancements in the electricity supply industry, amongst others including…

03 Sep

Green Industries study launched

ObserverEnergy, Latest

The Localising Green Industries in Namibia study was launched in Windhoek. The launch took place at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek, which commenced today. According to Kornelia Shilunga, the deputy minister of mines and energy, the study started in December 2023 and was completed in May 2024. She said the study was focussed on identifying actionable steps for green industrialisation in key industries such as iron, lithium and rare earth metals. Report: Martin Endjala.