‘Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Project Provides Jobs’ 8 August 2022

amibia’s workforce is about to grow thanks to new energy bids from the European Union. Hosted by the World Economic Forum, global elites in the Swiss Alps are interested in the energy plan from Namibia. Namibia’s green hydrogen project was announced in 2021 and the European Commission wants to double its hydrogen target by 2030. Namibia imports most of its power through bilateral contracts with South Africa’s national power utility Eskom and the South African Power Pool. Green hydrogen is a big enough addition to Namibia’s power pool that Namibia can generate enough electricity to trade with the rest of South Africa.

South Africa’s goal to deploy 10 GW of electrolysis in the Northern Cape by 2030 is going to create 15,000 skilled labor jobs in Namibia and an additional 20,000 every year. As of 2020, only 56% of Namibians have access to electricity and 21.6% do not have jobs. Young people need help the most, with 40% of them in need of work. “Renewables are key to overcoming energy poverty, providing needed energy services without damaging human health or ecosystems and enabling a transformation of economies in support of development and industrialization,” said the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report developed in conjunction with the African Development Bank.

… The $9.4 billion green hydrogen project could employ 90% of locals. Germany, Belgium and Netherlands showed interest in investing in the green hydrogen plant, according to DW. Berlin pledges $42.6 million at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos this year for the green hydrogen project in Namibia. Renewable energy from wind and solar is an up-and-coming Namibia project that will reduce South Africa’s carbon footprint. Both South African and European benefactors are excited about the jobs green hydrogen will create.