Martin Endjala
With more interest emerging from numerous countries globally in the much-anticipated green energy boom in Namibia, some experts have come to terms with geopolitics, saying that it is impossible for projects of this magnitude to not be politicized.
Frederico Links, a Researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said that energy is a geo-political policy and security concern and priority and politics are what is driving energy discussions everywhere.
“Green hydrogen, like all other energy-related developments, is political so the fact that it would be politicized, is a given. It is simply unavoidable and Namibia is no different,” Links said.
It is against this background, that Namibia should guard against the politicization of such major energy developments and opportunities as proposed with Green Hydrogen projects and offshore oil and gas discoveries.
Links aid that these issues are becoming politically captured and ultimately not being exploited or applied in the public’s interest.
Similarly, Links stressed that this is the reason why the Institute for Public Policy Research, continuously and consistently calls for maximum transparency and accountability in the decision-making and regulatory processes connected to these major energy initiatives.
Veteran Political Scientists Henny Melber, said that it is the nature of such mega projects, to not only carry substantial economic weight with far-reaching implications but are also discussed in a political context.
“Resource nationalism is a political matter as much as a socio-economic one. It relates to the conditions under which such projects are implemented. Who has the ownership and for whose benefit?” Melber said.
He continued by saying that reconciling the interests of investors and the local population with a state administration as a facilitator is a negotiation process.
“This is why transparency and accountability become crucial factors. Additionally, the question of whom in the international community to collaborate with is another policy matter. There are numerous interests involved and a variety of stakeholders. How this plays out is also a political issue,” he said.
Melber stressed that it is important that policies should seek to negotiate the best outcome for ordinary people.
“Who controls the mega projects and who are the beneficiaries? If policy debates are motivated by the best way to enhance gains in the interest of a wider public, then it is good policy. If a policy is guided by the self-interest of elites, it is a bad policy,” Melber added. Mathews Haakuria, a representative of the Public Service Union of Namibia, said that in line with preventing climate that there have been scenarios where developed countries tell developing countries not to mine or build certain projects in certain geographical areas.
However, the same countries are often seen doing the opposite and he cautioned that geopolitics is a very dangerous game that will impede development in Namibia.
“This is why we as unionists are forced to fight for the plight of workers when we see envisaged projects that are aimed at creating jobs being halted simply because they are being politicised,” Haakuria said.
The Unionist cautioned the government not to fall into the trap of geopolitics, but to rather permit green hydrogen projects to do what it was intended to do for the interests of all Namibians.
The green hydrogen economy is expected to provide 18 percent of the global energy demand, generate 30 million jobs by 2050 and generate U$2.5 trillion in annual revenue worldwide.
The green hydrogen industry is further estimated to grow the domestic labour market by creating an estimated 280 000 jobs by 2030 and 600 000 jobs by 2040.
In addition to this, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila indicated at last year’s National Green Hydrogen Conference that Namibia aims to produce 300 00 tonnes of the gas annually for both the domestic, regional and international markets.
