Niël Terblanché
The Namibia Standards Institution (NSI) recently convened a diverse group of stakeholders to strategize on the country’s transition to greener energies to move towards sustainable development,
The focus of the discussion was the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework for green hydrogen, aimed at boosting investor confidence and aligning Namibia with global energy markets.
Eino Mvula, the chief executive officer of NSI, emphasised the pivotal role of the institution in setting standards that will underpin the growth of the renewable energy sector.
“Our goal is to foster economic growth and position Namibia as a leader in renewable energy by establishing a robust regulatory framework. This will not only boost investor confidence but also ensure that our energy solutions meet international standards,” Mvula said.
Mvula emphasized the NSI’s efforts in Namibia to identify gaps in standardization and certification related to green hydrogen.
He mentioned that the institution is working on developing a detailed roadmap to address these gaps and implement the necessary measures.
“We are committed to creating a clear and actionable plan that will guide our response to the emerging needs of the green hydrogen market,” he added.
Nikol Anuschka Hearn, head of transactions for the Green Hydrogen Programme, outlined the substantial employment opportunities that the green hydrogen initiative is expected to generate.
She predicted the creation of about 200 000 direct jobs and 130 000 indirect jobs by 2040.
“The potential for job creation in the green hydrogen sector is immense, and it underscores the need for a skilled domestic workforce to maximise local employment and economic benefits,” Hearn remarked.
Participants at the meeting concurred on the necessity of developing a skilled workforce to support the growth of the green hydrogen market.
This includes investing in education and training programs that will equip Namibians with the expertise necessary to participate in and benefit from the burgeoning green energy sector.
Namibia’s ambitious plan to produce 10 to 12 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2050 is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to becoming a major player in the global green energy market.
The NSI’s initiative to establish a regulatory framework is a critical step towards realising this goal, ensuring that Namibia can attract investment and foster sustainable economic development.
