A significant new green hydrogen development in the Southern African nation of Namibia is set to generate 15,000 employment opportunities for locals as Namibia aims to become the latest entry into the green hydrogen and ammonia sector. The former German colony has long been overshadowed by more energy-rich nations in the African market, such as Nigeria. However, a new era of green hydrogen and ammonia production has emerged, and Namibia is hoping to become a major player, not just in the African market but in the international sector as well.
The African Development Bank has approved a loan to develop the new green hydrogen project in Namibia
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a new loan to develop the latest African green hydrogen and ammonia project, being led by Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, a notable Namibian green hydrogen development company.
Namibia is developing a new green hydrogen and ammonia production facility that could position the nation as a major exporter of essential green hydrogen and ammonia to several markets around the world. The $10 million loan has been sourced from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) and will support the necessary developments and extensive front-end engineering design study for the project.
The Southwestern region of Africa regularly sees significant wind and solar potential, making it the perfect location for the new green hydrogen and ammonia development by Hyphen Hydrogen. The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) is a fund specifically created to provide catalytic financing to unlock potential foreign investments in renewable energy developments in Africa.
“This is about far more than energy infrastructure,” said. “This is about demonstrating Africa’s capacity to lead the global energy transition, create quality jobs for our youth, and build prosperity while protecting our planet. Namibia is showing the world that Africa is not just participating in the green economy —we are defining it.” – Moono Mupotola, African Development Bank Country Manager for Namibia and Deputy Director General for Southern Africa
The new green hydrogen development is set to provide 15,000 jobs to locals
Hyphen Hydrogen has noted that the new project will provide 15,000 jobs for locals during the construction phase, and a further 3,000 permanent positions once fully operational. The first phase of the project will feature:
- 3.75 GW of renewable energy generation from solar and wind
- a new battery storage system
- 1.5 GW of electrolyser capacity
- several new desalination facilities
- additional transmission lines for the energy produced
- enhanced port facilities to transport the green hydrogen and ammonia to the international market
As several nations around the world develop new green hydrogen production facilities, such as the new hydrogen production facility in Kapolei, Hawai‘i, Namibia is aiming to welcome the new year with a new green hydrogen and ammonia production facility.
“The African Development Bank’s approval of this pre-investment facility represents a strong vote of confidence in Hyphen’s project and in the broad ambitions of Namibia to develop one of the world’s most transformative green hydrogen projects. We are deeply appreciative of the African Development Bank for partnering with us in the development of this transformative project. This facility, which will be utilised to partially fund the technical design phase of the project on our journey to the final investment decision.” – Marco Raffinetti, CEO, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy
New green hydrogen developments will reshape the global energy market
Namibia views the new green hydrogen facility as profoundly important to its Southern Corridor Development Initiative. Other regions of the world are developing new financing platforms to accelerate the rollout of green hydrogen production across the international energy market this year. Fusion Fuel has unveiled a new €30 million investment platform to accelerate the green hydrogen production market in Europe.
