Mines and Energy minister Tom Alweendo says Namibia will not completely do away with oil and gas while pursuing its plans to become a global hub for green hydrogen.
“The government has taken a conscious decision to make the country a global hub for green hydrogen. While this is in the pipeline, the country’s position is not to suffocate itself by cutting off potential Oil & Gas resources that could assist in solving our problems. A pragmatic approach in the energy transition conversation has guided the direction in which we are building our “energy mix basket”,” the Mines minister told the Africa Energy Week conference in Cape Town on Tuesday.
He said gas-to-power developments can significantly increase energy access continent wide, representing an ideal transitionary resource that can also act as a reliable and readily available power generation solution.
“I understand the importance of working toward renewables. I believe they are the future of the energy industry. But in addition, we should note that the global energy transition must be inclusive, equitable, and just,” he said.
He said the continued lack of access to modern energy services, despite the natural abundance of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources was impacting the development on the continent.
“Africa suffers from energy poverty. With the potential to generate up to 11,000 GW of electricity, the continent has the means to utilize solar power, wind energy, natural gas, hydroelectricity and fossil fuels and eliminate energy poverty in Africa,” Alweendo said.
The pronouncements by the mines minister comes as Namibia had previously tried to construct the much-touted 800MW Kudu Gas Power Station.
The Kudu Power Station, which was set to be located 25km north of Oranjemund and commissioned by end of 2017, was set to become the first Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station of this size in Southern Africa.
The government is banking on green hydrogen to solve the country’s power deficit and attract more than US$6 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) which is anticipated to generate annual revenues in excess of US$800 million.
A feasibility study for the first project is expected to commence in 18 months.
