By Helene Vosloo
Green hydrogen has emerged as a promising clean energy solution in Namibia’s efforts to transition away from fossil fuels and towards a low-carbon economy.
Derived from renewable sources like solar and wind, green hydrogen offers a sustainable pathway for energy production. The Namibian government has recognised this potential, approving green hydrogen production projects in rural regions, particularly //Karas, Erongo, and Kunene. These projects require robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to ensure reliable data communication and operations management.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is positioned to play a pivotal role in facilitating green hydrogen adoption by addressing ICT infrastructure and regulatory needs. This feature article addresses CRAN’s potential contributions, including regulatory framework development, spectrum management, infrastructure support, and facilitating investment, essential for Namibia’s green hydrogen goals.
Regulatory Framework
CRAN can enhance the green hydrogen landscape by creating a regulatory framework that fosters investment, innovation, and collaboration with other government entities.
This framework should ensure that regulatory requirements are clear for stakeholders, with streamlined processes that support green hydrogen infrastructure development and compliance with environmental standards. Collaboration with the Electricity Control Board will allow CRAN to support green hydrogen through ICT, especially for energy generation and trading.
Energy Dispatching and Spectrum Management
ICT, especially high-quality Internet connectivity, is critical for the efficiency of green hydrogen production and energy generation. Network stability and speed are essential for continuous data transfer, operational monitoring, and risk management. CRAN’s effective spectrum management will be crucial for supporting wireless communication systems involved in green hydrogen production and infrastructure. By allocating spectrum for renewable energy,
CRAN can secure reliable communication while promoting efficient spectrum use and interference reduction. CRAN has also released mid-band and millimeter wave spectrums for 5G, which supports energy-efficient devices crucial for Internet of Things (IoT) based green hydrogen operations.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
CRAN’s expertise in telecommunications infrastructure can support the digitalisation of green hydrogen production, particularly in rural areas where projects are located. Enhanced broadband coverage will enable reliable data transmission, monitoring, and remote management of green hydrogen facilities.
Quality connectivity is essential for managing daily operations and mitigating risks like downtime. Given Namibia’s vast rural regions, CRAN’s role in developing 5G infrastructure will be essential to meet the demands of these projects.
Facilitating Investment and Deployment of 5G Internet
Due to limited investment in last-mile connectivity and mobile broadband, interventions are needed to ensure high-quality Internet service around green hydrogen sites. CRAN can play a role in monitoring service quality and facilitating infrastructure development in remote areas.
To support industry needs, CRAN must encourage investment in reliable, high-speed Internet, which is critical for green hydrogen operations that depend on efficient data flows and real-time communication.
Infrastructure Sharing
For green hydrogen and renewable energy projects, infrastructure sharing can significantly reduce costs and promote competition, essential for covering remote areas like southern Namibia. Shared infrastructure can expand network coverage in underserved areas, improving ICT access for energy data processing and dispatching. Currently, many operators lease infrastructure from NamPower and Powercom.
Expanding this model, CRAN could consider amending the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009) to allow for reference pricing, ensuring fair pricing structures for shared infrastructure. This approach can enhance grid security through fiber-optic deployment along the NamPower grid, essential for green hydrogen operations.
Research and Development
Namibia’s green hydrogen initiatives offer substantial economic potential, such as foreign direct investment, job creation, and contributions to local and national revenues. However, challenges remain, including high technical costs, infrastructure limitations, regulatory uncertainties, and limited expertise.
CRAN should continue research on 5G’s role in supporting green hydrogen production by collaborating with other regulatory bodies, academia, and industry stakeholders. Improving the affordability of telecommunications services remains a priority for promoting technological advancement and accessibility across all sectors.
Conclusion
As Namibia transitions towards a sustainable energy future, CRAN’s involvement in supporting green hydrogen development is crucial. By leveraging its regulatory mandate and technical expertise, CRAN can facilitate the growth of ICT infrastructure to support green hydrogen projects, thereby unlocking economic and environmental benefits.
Through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions, CRAN can help position Namibia as a leader in green hydrogen and contribute to global sustainability efforts. CRAN’s proactive approach will be instrumental in realising Namibia’s vision for a cleaner, greener economy aligned with sustainable development goals.
- Helene Vosloo is Executive: Economics & Market Development at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)
