Namibia and South Africa have embarked on a groundbreaking initiative with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the World Hydrogen Summit in May 2024.
This agreement marks the beginning of an ambitious endeavor to explore the development of a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline, aiming to revolutionize the energy landscape across Southern Africa.
The project, which has garnered support from key stakeholders such as the Western Cape Tourism, Investment and Trade Agency (Wesgro), the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA), the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), Gasunie Waterstof Holding B.V., and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) NL B.V., aims to establish a green hydrogen corridor.
Following a kickoff meeting held on 9th July, in Cape Town, the MoU is now in effect, signaling a collaborative effort to assess the feasibility and potential of this transformative initiative.
With a substantial budget of N$ 4,897,227.24 (€250,000), the study will delve into the technical, commercial, financial, legal, environmental, socio-economic, and operational dimensions of the project, ensuring adherence to top-tier environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards
By leveraging the collective expertise of all parties involved, the study aims to foster a shared vision of a sustainable and interconnected energy future.
The initial focus will be on the pipeline segment between Lüderitz in Namibia and the Northern Cape in South Africa. This first phase is crucial for setting the foundation for future expansions, which include extending the pipeline to the Western Cape in South Africa and the Erongo region, an emerging hub for green hydrogen projects.
“If successful, this pipeline could be the first intra-country hydrogen backbone in Africa, cementing the way for the trade of more complex products in Southern Africa. This is a key step we are taking as we look to unleash the full potential of the Africa Continental Free Trade area and realize the ideals of Agenda 2063; the Africa We Want,” the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo highlighted.
By connecting major green hydrogen hubs and facilitating the efficient transport and distribution of green hydrogen, the pipeline is poised to drive economic growth, generate jobs, and promote environmental sustainability.
This initiative aims to position Namibia as a strategic logistics hub, providing clean energy connections to the hinterland and beyond.
Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe expressed, “The programme is honored to be carrying out cutting-edge research on behalf of the Namibian government as it assesses the viability of establishing such strategic infrastructure for the Southern Africa region.”
As this bold project unfolds, it holds the promise of not only advancing green hydrogen technology but also significantly contributing to the sustainable development and industrialization of the region. The successful realisation of this pipeline will mark a pivotal milestone in Africa’s journey toward a green and prosperous future.
