EU and Namibia strengthen energy relations, cooperation on hydrogen

The European Union (EU) commissioner for energy Kadri Simson announced a 25 million euro (N$494.6 million) contribution to leverage infrastructure investments in support of Namibia’s green hydrogen agenda at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, which took place in Windhoek last week.

Two partnership deals, the EU 'Get Transformed' project and the institutional partnership on quality infrastructure between Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Namibian ministry of industrialisation and trade on green hydrogen quality infrastructure, were also signed, in addition to an announcement of support for the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme by the government of the Netherlands.



Global gateway

Simson hailed the package as a global gateway in action, saying the investment will go towards hard infrastructure as well as the enabling regulatory and policy environment.

“The EU wants to help Namibia drive its green industrialisation, achieve energy security and increase prosperity for its citizens. We also want to support Namibia to position itself prominently on the global energy map. I have no doubt that these programmes will contribute to all that.”

She explained that the first programme involves EU support for Namibian and South African green hydrogen investment funds. “Our support totals 50 million euros. The investment will especially target private sector projects across the hydrogen value chain, such as the production, transportation and storage, as well as downstream industries.”

In addition, the EU - together with Germany - signed a country window for Namibia for the EU 'Get Transformed' programme, totalling 2.7 million euros. “This will support the ministry of mines and energy, and help Namibia to expand its renewable generation capacity and increase success by creating opportunities for decentralised renewable energy solutions in remote areas.”

A grant agreement to support the Namibian green hydrogen programme, totalling 1.2 million euros, was also signed. “This will ensure that the green hydrogen sector is steered and regulated by an effective support mechanism. This programme is also supported by Germany and the Netherlands,” Simson said.



Accountability

Mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo said the funding being availed will ensure that Namibia progresses with its green industrialisation strategy.

“On behalf of the Namibian people, thank you Team Europe for being our partners and being our collaborators. I am happy to know that this funding mechanism is not only going to policy reform, it is also going to the real infrastructure that we need to build.”

The minister appealed to the functionaries that will be responsible for implementing the mentioned programmes to use the funds for their intended purposes.

“Let us make sure that we work diligently to ensure that the Namibian people benefit from this programme that will put us all ahead. The product we're talking about is what is going to create the employment opportunities for the Namibian people that we want.”



Community participation

Janneke Vrijland, the deputy ambassador of the Netherlands in South Africa, welcomed the EU and Namibian corporations.

“Through the Namibian green hydrogen programme, the Netherlands is proud to invest in initiatives that will establish a secure regulatory framework for green hydrogen production in Namibia. This includes engagement in four pillars: Supply and demand, de-risking, capacity and ecosystem building and business cooperation.”

Vrijland emphasised that equal partnership is essential for the Netherlands.

“We will work to create a sustainable energy landscape, providing jobs and driving economic growth across Namibia in a responsible manner. It's crucial that as we embark on this exciting journey, we also engage with local communities, ensuring that they are the beneficiaries of this greening endeavour.”