Namibia's Green Hydrogen Ambitions Supported by Three Reports

Namibia's green hydrogen ambitions are supported by three new reports from the GreeN-H2-Namibia project. The reports address technical and socio-economic challenges in building a sustainable hydrogen sector, covering topics such as Power-to-X technologies, regional water infrastructure, and market opportunities for green hydrogen derivatives. The reports provide key insights for Namibia's emerging green economy and could unlock further market opportunities in the future.

Namibia is making significant strides in its green hydrogen ambitions, as evidenced by the release of three new reports by the GreeN-H2-Namibia project. These reports provide crucial insights into the technical and socio-economic challenges of building a sustainable hydrogen sector, covering topics such as Power-to-X (PtX) technologies, regional water infrastructure, and market opportunities for green hydrogen derivatives. The reports are designed to guide policymakers, investors, and communities within Namibia and internationally.

The first report focuses on Power-to-X (PtX) technologies, which convert renewable energy into storable fuels and chemicals. It details primary production pathways and evaluates their technical feasibility in Namibia's context. The report highlights potential applications, including transport fuels, industrial feedstocks, and energy storage. It also assesses demand projections for the domestic market and explores suitable carbon sources for green hydrogen derivatives beyond green ammonia. Co-author Dr. Chokri Boumrifak states that besides green ammonia and green steel, PtX includes the production of sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals, such as e-methanol or e-diesel. The report emphasizes the need for cost reductions through technological optimizations to make PtX more feasible for Namibian industries [1].

A further report explores the potential of brine valorisation in Namibia, particularly as desalination expands to support the country’s growing green hydrogen sector. While current regulations require environmental clearance for brine discharge, specific standards are missing to guide sustainable desalination practices. The report identifies market opportunities in sodium chloride, soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, and longer-term recovery of magnesium and lithium. It suggests that a high-value, circular brine economy can be integrated with desalination and green energy hubs [1].

In parallel, the project has also released a report on water infrastructure in the ||Kharas Region, where Lüderitz and Aus are emerging as focal points for Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions. The report compiles scattered data from diverse stakeholders into one coherent analysis, giving decision-makers a clearer basis for planning water infrastructure in the face of uncertainty. It develops scenarios for future water demand based on transparent assumptions and underlines the advantages of a modular approach to water infrastructure. This synthesis is particularly valuable for both Namibian and international stakeholders who often lack a consolidated picture of local water constraints and investment needs in the context of green hydrogen development [1].

Together, these reports provide evidence-based guidance for policymakers, investors, and communities both within Namibia and internationally. They highlight both the opportunities and uncertainties of Namibia’s hydrogen transition, offering practical insights to ensure that industrial growth is matched with sustainable infrastructure and equitable development. All reports can be downloaded on the website [1].

References:
[1] https://idw-online.de/en/news857357