Energy

A 50MW solar power plant to be constructed near Ruacana

A 50MW solar power plant to be constructed near Ruacana

Martin Endjala A 50-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant is set to be constructed near Ruacana if a proposal to build it is approved. Cathral Investment Seventy-Seven (Pty) Ltd. (CI77), plans to develop a 50 MW solar power plant on a site at the NamPower Kunene substation in the Omusati region. “The plant is not for local supply, but it's for international supply and central Namibia,” Enviro Dynamics’s environmental consultant, Norman Van Zyl said during a telephone interview with the Windhoek Observer on Monday. Enviro Dynamics has been instructed to apply for an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) on behalf of CI77.…
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Hyphen targeting to supply excess electricity to grid

Hyphen targeting to supply excess electricity to grid

Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, the green hydrogen development company has been awarded the rights from the government following a competitive tender process, to develop Namibia’s first gigawatt scale green hydrogen project. Hyphen is a joint venture between controlling shareholder ENERTRAG SE and Nicholas Holdings Limited. This week, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy informed Windhoek Money that the Hyphen’s project is being developed as the first step in the implementation of the government’s strategy for the development of a large-scale green hydrogen industry in various regions in Namibia to support both economic growth in Namibia and assist the world in achieving its decarbonisation goals.…
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TransNamib temporarily pauses dual-fuel locomotive project

TransNamib temporarily pauses dual-fuel locomotive project

Niël Terblanché Namibia’s national transporter, TransNamib has decided to pause its ambitious dual fuel locomotive project as part of a strategic shift aimed at focusing on its core objectives, including the procurement of new rolling stock worth N$2.6 billion and plans to more than double its annual freight volume over the next five years. The decision was made to allow the national rail operator to channel its resources towards immediate priorities critical for the country’s rail infrastructure and economic development. The decision to reassess the dual fuel project was confirmed by James Mnyupe, the commissioner of Namibia's Green Hydrogen Programme…
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Namibia secures N$730 million for green hydrogen future

Namibia secures N$730 million for green hydrogen future

Martin Endjala Tom Alweendo, the minister of mines and energy, said continuous investment in the country’s green hydrogen projects strongly contradicts the belief that the development of a synthetic fuel industry in Namibia is merely a pipe dream. Alweendo made these remarks on Wednesday at the Global African Hydrogen Summit, where Team Europe signed an agreement to contribute N$730 million to advance Namibia's green industrialisation agenda. “Some people think we are going too slow, but we are also trying to go systematically to ensure we achieve what we need to be achieving,” Alweendo said. He said that the country reaches…
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Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

Namibia champions sustainable green industrialization

Niël Terblanché Namibia's commitment to sustainable development and ecological preservation was the focal point of vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's address at the Global African Hydrogen Summit currently in progress in Windhoek. While addressing delegates on Wednesday, she stressed that environmental protection is both a natural responsibility and a constitutional obligation for Namibia, as the country strives to balance economic growth with ecological care. “For the past 34 years, Namibia has worked strategically to industrialise its economy sustainably and competitively,” she said. Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that the nation has placed environmental sustainability at the forefront of its developmental objectives. “This approach is…
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Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

Electricity supply industry set for major upgrades

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electricity Control Board's (ECB) chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, has called on players in the electricity supply industry to stay informed about the latest technology in the industry. Kahimise was speaking at the stakeholder workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday, which was focused on the review and update of the distribution grid code and connection code that took place. ‘’As you all know, the current distribution grid code was promulgated in 2018 and has not been reviewed since then. However, there have been a lot of changes and technological advancements in the electricity supply industry, amongst others including…
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Green Industries study launched

The Localising Green Industries in Namibia study was launched in Windhoek. The launch took place at the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek, which commenced today. According to Kornelia Shilunga, the deputy minister of mines and energy, the study started in December 2023 and was completed in May 2024. She said the study was focussed on identifying actionable steps for green industrialisation in key industries such as iron, lithium and rare earth metals. Report: Martin Endjala.
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Uranium market resurgence unfolding

Uranium market resurgence unfolding

CHAMWE KAIRA Bannerman Energy Ltd, which is developing the Etango project in the Erongo has said persistent cumulative supply gap now stands at approximately 150 million pounds of uranium oxide. Namibia stands to gain from increase in demand for uranium is it is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. Bannerman said in a presentation to investors that Emerging Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology is driving further new demand additions. The company added that the industry has lost a decade of uranium exploration and project development post Fukushima. The other factors that are driving demand for uranium include the…
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Namibia leads Africa’s Green Hydrogen revolution

Namibia leads Africa’s Green Hydrogen revolution

Niël Terblanché Namibia is rapidly emerging as a leader in the green hydrogen industry, with eight active projects that are set to transform the nation's energy landscape and position it at the forefront of global green energy initiatives. These projects, which include Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Elof Hansson, HDF Energy, HyIron, Zhero, Cleanergy Solutions, Daures Hydrogen Village, and Hyrail, are developing essential production infrastructure across the country, from wind and solar farms to electrolysis facilities and desalination plants. According to James Mnyupe, Namibia's Green Hydrogen Commissioner, the heart of this green revolution is the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project, strategically located in…
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Oil industry warned against fronting

Oil industry warned against fronting

Martin Endjala The deputy minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, has warned players in the oil and gas industry against fronting Namibians into positions. She made these remarks during the 2024 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference that started in Windhoek on Wednesday. “Ideally, all vacant positions should be advertised in local media to ensure that Namibians, who meet minimum requirements from all corners of the country, have an equal employment opportunity,” she said. This year's conference theme is “The Next Step Towards a Prosperous Oil and Gas Industry.” Shilunga said she has learnt that some oil industry players are…
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