In alignment with global efforts to combat climate change by reducing emissions, the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) is set to host a Green Hydrogen Symposium in Windhoek, Namibia next week.
Themed “Green Hydrogen in Practice: Pilot Projects and Y4H2 Scholarships,” the event will take place at the Windhoek Country Club in Namibia on March 26 and 27, 2024.
SASSCAL announced on Friday that the symposium aims to provide a comprehensive mid-term status report on ongoing Pilot Projects and Youth for Green Hydrogen (Y4H2) scholarships in Namibia. It serves as a platform for key stakeholders to witness advancements and achievements in the Green Hydrogen sector, showcasing progress and results of projects under the Joint Communique of Intent (JCoI).
The two-day symposium will feature various panel discussions exploring SADC governments’ preparedness for Green Hydrogen, skilling the Green Hydrogen economy, academic representations, and presentations on green hydrogen pilot projects. Recipients of grants for pilot projects will present their initiatives, sharing insights into progress, highlights, challenges and ongoing capacity building initiatives under the Y4H2 scholarship programme.
The event will provide an opportunity for research institutions, industry players from Namibia and Germany, and program coordinators to explore future collaboration opportunities.
Representatives from the diplomatic community, including Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia, as well as officials from the Namibian Presidency, BMBF, relevant line ministries, the German Embassy in Windhoek and academic institutions, will also attend.
The outcomes of the symposium are expected to contribute to a clear and achievable upscaling or sustainability plan for a Green Hydrogen economy in Namibia. The country aims to become a green hydrogen superpower in the coming decade, positioning itself as a leader in emerging markets and an international exporter of green hydrogen.
Namibia boasts abundant solar and wind resources, making it conducive for low-cost green hydrogen production. The partnership between Namibia and Germany, supported by the Joint Communiqué of Intent (JCOI) signed in August 2021, aims to invest €40 million over five years in green hydrogen projects. This partnership seeks to promote sustainable development by addressing climate management, energy crises and fostering economic growth in the region.
The cooperation between Namibia and Germany is part of broader efforts in the SADC region, exemplified by projects like the H2Atlas Africa coordinated by SASSCAL. These initiatives demonstrate a concerted commitment to advancing green hydrogen technologies and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy in Southern Africa.
