Namibia, South Africa to cooperate on green hydrogen

President Hage Geingob and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa have announced plans to cooperate on the development of a green hydrogen economy to benefit both countries.

The two leaders were speaking during Geingob’s state visit to South Africa.

Geingob said South Africa is a welcome partner in green hydrogen because of its large economy, strong industrial base and established infrastructure.

“We will work with them (South Africa) if we are having new ideas on green hydrogen. They will be there to facilitate us. It will be good, therefore, that they are on board, and we discuss how they can come in,” Geingob said.

Geingob said details on this cooperation will be discussed in length during the upcoming Namibia-South Africa binational commission.

Namibia, which has significant solar and wind resources, has already begun exploring the potential of producing green hydrogen for exporting and increasing its energy security.

Meanwhile, South Africa is also home to several renewable energy projects, including the world’s largest solar power plant.

Ramaphosa said both Namibia and South Africa are going through an era where they are exposed to new opportunities.

“The green hydrogen sector is a new sector and both countries are well-placed to exploit this sector. Already there is a deep wish for the both of us to cooperate,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramaphosa said local and international partners are in talks with both countries on how to exploit the green hydrogen sector, adding that both governments want to use green hydrogen to improve the living conditions of their citizens and great jobs.