Hertta-Maria Amutenya
In a commitment to combat climate change and realising the aspirations of Agenda 2063, President Hage Geingob, has announced that Namibia is set to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of renewable energy in the next 20 years, a monumental leap that surpasses the country’s existing generation capacity by more than 30 times.
Geingob made the announcement at the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge during COP28 underway in Dubai.
Geingob, addressing world leaders, emphasised Namibia’s alignment with the vision of “The Africa We Want,” recognising the urgent need for collective action in the face of climate change.
Despite discovering significant oil deposits, Namibia is making substantial investments in green hydrogen, underlining its commitment to environmentally conscious and socially inclusive economic growth.
The Head of State said the renewable energy initiative aims to position Namibia as a hub for renewable energy innovation, driving green industrialisation, job creation and economic development.
“We are currently developing 9 different green hydrogen projects that are looking to use renewable energy to produce clean molecules that will decarbonise various sectors of our economies including, transport and agriculture and create whole new industries such as those emanating from the chemicals and basic materials sectors. These activities promise to diversify our exports and will significantly bolster our gross fixed capital formation,” he said.
Geingob emphasised Namibia’s dedication to environmentally conscious and socially inclusive economic growth, citing investments in green hydrogen projects.
He said these initiatives aim to produce clean molecules for decarbonising various sectors such as transport and agriculture, ultimately fostering economic development and job creation.
“Namibia aligns itself with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, “The Africa We Want,” recognising the urgent need for collective action to address climate change and ensure sustainable development across the continent. Our commitment to this vision is unwavering, and today, I wish to emphasise the pivotal role renewable energy will play in realising the ambitions of Agenda 2063. Agenda 2063 beckons us to forge a united Africa, resilient in the face of global challenges. It is a call to build an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent, one that harnesses its resources sustainably for the benefit of all,” he said.
In addition, Geingob underscored Namibia’s vast landscapes and untapped renewable potential, positioning the country as a champion for renewable energy innovation. The commitment extends beyond national borders, with a focus on diversifying exports through the exploration of lithium and rare earth elements for battery precursor manufacturing.
In addressing the financial challenges associated with climate action, Geingob highlighted Namibia’s establishment of a blended finance infrastructure fund ready to receive climate financing.
As Namibia faces climate challenges, including rising temperatures and rainfall variability, President Geingob stressed the need for global cooperation. He called for solidarity, ambition, equity, and cooperation at COP28, emphasising the importance of the Global Stock take to assess progress and identify gaps in financial support since the Paris Agreement’s adoption in 2015.
In conclusion, President Geingob urged nations to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and collectively tackle the global challenges posed by climate change.
The time for talking, he emphasised, is over—it’s time for implementation.
