The Russia-Ukraine war could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Namibia amid reports that the southwest African country is the target of a new European Union (EU) plan to reduce the bloc’s dependence on Moscow’s energy resources.
Most Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February. These include measures to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas.
According to reports monitored here on Tuesday, the EU is planning a deal to support Namibia’s nascent green hydrogen sector as the bloc moves to reduce its dependence on Russian energy.
Quoting EU and Namibian officials, news agencies said the plan would see the EU signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Namibia on hydrogen and minerals at the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference set for Egypt in November.
The EU has set a target of importing at least 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, with a similar amount expected to be produced within the bloc.
Hydrogen has become a topical issue in the global race towards net-zero emissions from energy sources, with a number of countries – most notably Colombia, India, United Kingdom and United States – recently unveiling national strategies to harness hydrogen as a source of clean energy.
Namibia has unveiled plans to harness its massive green hydrogen potential as part of its energy transition programme.
It has so far sealed a deal with Germany under which Berlin would provide Windhoek €40 million to boost its green hydrogen production, in return for a future cheap supply of the gas.
The cost of a kilogramme of clean hydrogen produced in the country is projected to be somewhere between €1.50 and €2.00, with exports foreseen to start before 2025.
Most EU consumption is of so-called “grey” or “blue” hydrogen produced using gas, which drives up costs and related emissions. That has made easier access to green hydrogen, made using renewable energy, a priority.
JN/APA