A contingent of officials from Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, accompanied by the Director General of the National Planning Commission, was in Oshakati to unpack and give an update on the Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project.
The engagement that took place in Oshakati on 12 April 2024 was attended by close to 70 people who represented government and private institutions in Oshana Region, as well as a few individuals who were there in their own capacities.
Mr Obeth Mbui Kandjoze, the Director General of the National Planning Commission, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council, gave an update on the Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project, an ambitious project which intends to produce energy from hydrogen.
Kandjoze explained that by the year 2029 Namibia will be generating energy which will be enough to power the economy as well as exporting the surplus to Europe.
However Kandjoze started off with his presentation by stating that he was not satisfied with the attendance at the engagement in Oshana.
Although the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) was represented by its Ongwediva office administrator Mrs Ruth Shikongo, the Namibia Local Business Association (Naloba) was not represented at the engagement.
“Oshana has more people than this, therefore we will not give up. This is the 5th region we are in with our engagement,” Kandjoze said.
“We started last year but we did not live up to expectations and could not finish. So this time around we need more people to come out, we must put out more information in the media, so more people could come out to this kind of engagements.”
Kandjoze said that the world is going the way of green energy, and Namibia is set to be a leader on the African continent in the generation of this new energy.
Kandjoze explained that the word ‘green’ in the ‘green hydrogen’ does not refer to the colour green.
“‘Green’ is a description of earth’s friendliness. It’s a commitment that whatever energy we produce and use should not damage the earth. We are replacing the old modes of energy by generating solar and wind energy, and now this project is focused on producing hydrogen from sea water to generate electricity.
“By 2029 to 2030 we will generate excess electricity and we could sell some of it so some neighbouring countries. Netherlands and Germany are particularly interested in our Green Hydrogen project too.”
Kandjoze also pointed out that the Namibian Government has 24% shareholding in the Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project, which is being run and managed by a company known as Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, at the Tsau //Khaeb area of //Kharas Region.
Mr Johannes Shipepe, an official of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, stated at the engagement that there will be many opportunities for entrepreneurs to benefit from the green hydrogen and ammonia project.
“Capable companies will be given opportunities to provide us with services and goods in wind and solar energy, in desalination, pipelines, housing, cement, steel, trucks, protective clothing, excavators, plumbing, electricians, etc.,” he said.
Shipepe stated that local procurement will be at 30%.
“Hyphen and GRN have agreed on a governance process to transition the socio-economic development targets to socio-economic commitments,” Shipepe said.
“These socio-economic targets include the creation of 15000 jobs during the construction phase, and 3000 jobs during the operational phase. Of this, 90% will be Namibians, of which 20% of the job opportunities will be given to the youth.”
In the photo: Chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council, Mr Obeth Kandjoze at the Oshana engagement.
