Green hydrogen project developer in Namibia, structured as public-private partnership, planning large-scale production near Lüderitz with government support.
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December 2023
The Namibian
Hyphen Hydrogen Energyfinalised€5 million agreement with DBSA at COP28
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“Hyphen Hydrogen Energy finalised a €5 million (N$ 102 million) agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) on the sidelines of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).”
Hyphen Hydrogen Energyis awaiting approval and must undergoenvironmental and technical evaluations to protect park tourism
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“Green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe said the much-touted Hyphen green hydrogen project in Tsau //Khaeb National Park is awaiting approval and must first undergo thorough environmental and technical evaluations to ensure it doesn't impact park tourism.”
Hyphen Hydrogen Energyhas promisedto prioritise environmental sustainability in its green hydrogen project
Source
“Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has promised to prioritise environmental sustainability as it embarks on its ambitious green hydrogen project within the Tsau //Khaeb National Park.”
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy's chief executive Marco Raffinettisays disclosing information onthe company's agreements with government would be detrimental to project development
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“Hyphen Hydrogen Energy's chief executive, Marco Raffinetti, says disclosing information on the company's agreements with the government would be detrimental to the development of its green hydrogen project.”
Hyphen Hydrogen Energyis at the forefront ofa consortium embarking on a N$100 billion green hydrogen project in Lüderitz vicinity
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“A private German company, Enertrag, is at the forefront of a consortium embarking on a N$100 billion green hydrogen project in the vicinity of Lüderitz.”
Hyphen Hydrogen Energyis estimated to requirenearly US$10 billion investment for its southern Namibia project
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“The Hyphen project alone, in southern Namibia's Tsau//Khaeb National Park (including the former Sperrgebiet), is estimated at nearly US$10 billion investment.”
The governmenthas pickedHyphen Hydrogen Energy as its preferred company to lead green hydrogen development
Source
“What the government has told the public is that it has picked Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) as its preferred company to lead the development of the industry.”
A seven-day Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission connected 16 Namibian businesses, TVET institutions, and industry bodies with more than 50 German companies and organisations, resulting in one memorandum of understanding being finalised and four additional programmes under consideration across renewable energy, technical training, and industrial skills.
A seven-day Namibia-Germany Enterprise and Supplier Development Mission connected 16 Namibian businesses, TVET institutions, and industry bodies with more than 50 German companies and organisations, resulting in one memorandum of understanding being finalised and four additional programmes under consideration across renewable energy, technical training, and industrial skills.
Namibia is positioning itself as a potential global green hydrogen hub, leveraging its solar and wind resources, but a new Energy Sector Skills Strategy Report warns that a shortage of specialised skills could slow development of the industry. The flagship Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project is expected to require about 7 GW of renewable energy capacity and 3 GW of electrolyser capacity, with Namibia aiming to produce between 10 million and 15 million tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent annually by 2050.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy has facilitated a strategic engagement between President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her ministerial delegation with China National Chemical Engineering Corporation 7 (CC7) in Chengdu, China, to advance international cooperation and collaboration on Namibia's green energy transition.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with representatives of China National Chemical Engineering and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy in Chengdu to discuss strengthening cooperation between Namibia and China in the emerging green hydrogen sector. The green hydrogen industry currently employs 800 people in Namibia, with N$2 billion invested in various projects.
The Governor of //Kharas Region called on local communities to share ideas on how the green hydrogen industry should develop in the region, including priorities on employment, land use, and environmental safeguards. He emphasized that stakeholder engagement ensures communities have a voice in development plans, particularly for the anticipated Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project.
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo said that the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people can only be addressed through meaningful action, not words alone. He urged companies operating in Namibia to focus on improving social conditions and creating jobs in local communities as a way to help correct historical injustices.
A €500 million framework loan facility from the European Investment Bank has not yet been rolled out in Namibia despite EU partnership progress in green hydrogen, critical raw materials, and infrastructure development.
HYPHEN Hydrogen Energy, in partnership with AHK Southern Africa and GIZ, held an Enterprise and Supplier Development workshop in Windhoek to strengthen Namibian business participation in the emerging green hydrogen sector and support local procurement within large-scale infrastructure projects. The initiative, supported by H2Uppp funding and a Letter of Intent, aligns with Namibia's industrialisation agenda as Hyphen develops the country's first large-scale green hydrogen project under a Feasibility and Implementation Agreement with the Government.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project near Lüderitz could provide desalinated water to support farming in water-stressed Aus and enable a green scheme in the area, while also delivering wider economic benefits and requiring sector-wide adjustments.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi visited the Hyphen green hydrogen project in Lüderitz to reaffirm government support for the initiative and highlight its role in economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development. The project is structured as a public-private partnership with government holding a 24% stake under a concession agreement signed in June 2023.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, partnering with Enertrag and GIZ, will sign a cooperation agreement under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme to strengthen Namibian supplier capacity in the green hydrogen sector. The initiative, funded by EUR 300,000 from H2UPPP and EUR 300,000 from Hyphen, will implement an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme to build capability and competitiveness of Namibian enterprises.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy plans to spend N$54 billion on procurement from local Namibian businesses over its project lifespan, targeting 30% local procurement. The company has launched a capacity-building programme with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, backed by grant funding, to help Namibian companies compete for specialised opportunities across the hydrogen sector value chain.
Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Enertrag and GIZ signed an agreement to support Namibian suppliers in the green hydrogen value chain through an Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme. The partnership aims to strengthen local capacity and participation, with over €40 million committed to Namibian projects and focus on building domestic industries, creating jobs, and increasing processed exports rather than raw material exports.
The Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre has opened new intakes offering courses in solar installation, welding, electrical engineering, and logistics tailored to job requirements in emerging green hydrogen, oil, and gas sectors. The centre, which admits trainees nationally and provides free tuition through government policy, will inaugurate with Vice President Lucia Witbooi this Thursday.
A proposed hydrogen production facility in Namibia's Tsau ||Khaeb National Park promises jobs and clean energy exports, but conservationists warn it risks harming endangered wildlife like African penguins and unique desert plants, while local activists raise concerns about community engagement and respect for sites of colonial genocide.
A major hydrogen production facility planned for Tsau ǁKhaeb National Park promises jobs and economic growth but risks damaging endangered wildlife like African penguins and unique desert plants, prompting conservationists to warn of impacts on biodiversity despite Hyphen's commitments to minimise disturbance.
An LPM parliamentarian has criticized the green hydrogen project as a political campaign tool rather than a genuine development plan, citing the lack of a dedicated legislative framework. The government's press secretary defended the project as part of Namibia's development vision alongside oil and gas initiatives, while the minister acknowledged no standalone green hydrogen act exists but said the sector is governed by existing environmental and energy legislation.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning completed an oversight visit to the //Kharas region to monitor capital projects including airport infrastructure, hospital renovations, and the railway line. Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to track government investments to ensure effective use of public funds and tangible benefits to citizens, though some concerns were raised about slow implementation and official absenteeism.
The African Development Bank has approved a US$10 million loan to Hyphen Hydrogen Energy for detailed engineering studies on Namibia's green hydrogen and ammonia project near Lüderitz, a development that could create 15,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent positions while producing up to two million tonnes of green ammonia annually for export.