The administrator of the National Energy Administration of China, Zhang Jinhua, paid a visit to President Hage Geingob on Friday to establish cooperation in the area of green hydrogen production.
Namibia aims to position itself as a future green hydrogen producer to attract investment from China, which is currently the world’s leading and fastest-growing producer of renewable energy.
James Mnyupe, Namibia’s green hydrogen commissioner and economic adviser to the president, said that although Namibia has not signed a partnership with China on green hydrogen, officials are looking to the Asian country as a critical partner.
However, Namibia is not talking to China alone. “We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Europe, and we are also discussing possibilities of collaboration with the United States. If you look at any of these green hydrogen projects, they will use components from all over the world,” he told VOA.
Mnyupe said Namibia is looking to learn from China on how best to use its experience in producing renewable energy and renewable energy components.
China’s administrator for its National Energy Administration said through an interpreter that China is ready to partner with Namibia in all areas of green hydrogen.
This comes as Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said a recent courtesy visit by U.S. Ambassador to Namibia Randy Berry to President Hage Geingob aimed to cement relations in major areas of interest, including green hydrogen and oil exploration.
“Namibia is making tremendous advances in the areas of green energy but also in hydrocarbons,” he said. “American companies are drilling off the coast of Namibia, and so it was a courtesy visit just to emphasize increasing cooperation in these areas,” he said.
Hydrogen, is an alternative fuel that industrialized nations hope can help them reach their ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Namibia has a solar potential of 26,000 MW and a wind potential of 18,000 MW.-The Brief/VOA
