Green hydrogen push could lead to dependency - expert
An energy expert has warned that Namibia’s relentless push to produce green hydrogen could backfire, if adequate support structures are not put in place.
As Namibia sprints to win the race to become one of Africa's first green hydrogen export hubs, VO Consulting‘s Detlof von Oertzen fears the country’s ambitions could be crippling in future.
“Outsourcing our development pathway to commercial mega-developers creates new dependencies that are unlikely to result in favourable and sustainable local outcomes.”
He was referring to Namibia’s foreign partnerships to advance the green economy at a Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance conference last week.
This after the country received N$500 million from Germany last year to fund a green hydrogen pilot project.
Unrealistic
Von Oertzen went on to question Nambia’s global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 91% by 2030.
“I am extremely worried that we are unrealistic and misusing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for nationally determined contributions, which provides commitments the Namibian government has made. That does not mean we should set up targets that are completely ludicrous,” he said.
He added that we should not make “unrealistic, unachievable” targets, such as Namibia’s commitment to have 193 000 electric vehicles on Namibian roads by 2030.
“We currently have 60, and I own one of them. Today we have 60, and by 2030 we want to have 193 000. We lack realism and I think we are misusing an international instrument by putting forward offers that are not real,” he said.
Outdated stats
National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) senior manager for sustainable energies and advisor to the minister of mines and energy Frans Kalenga, however, countered that the statistics used by the consultant may be outdated, as Namcor has recorded about 200 electric vehicles.
“Namcor is rolling out electric charging points at our service stations. Currently, there are about 200 electric vehicles. It’s just that you don’t see them because there is a lack of infrastructure. They use charging points at Grove Mall, First National Bank Namibia, Maerua Mall and BMW,” he said.
As Namibia sprints to win the race to become one of Africa's first green hydrogen export hubs, VO Consulting‘s Detlof von Oertzen fears the country’s ambitions could be crippling in future.
“Outsourcing our development pathway to commercial mega-developers creates new dependencies that are unlikely to result in favourable and sustainable local outcomes.”
He was referring to Namibia’s foreign partnerships to advance the green economy at a Namibia Institute of Corporate Governance conference last week.
This after the country received N$500 million from Germany last year to fund a green hydrogen pilot project.
Unrealistic
Von Oertzen went on to question Nambia’s global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 91% by 2030.
“I am extremely worried that we are unrealistic and misusing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for nationally determined contributions, which provides commitments the Namibian government has made. That does not mean we should set up targets that are completely ludicrous,” he said.
He added that we should not make “unrealistic, unachievable” targets, such as Namibia’s commitment to have 193 000 electric vehicles on Namibian roads by 2030.
“We currently have 60, and I own one of them. Today we have 60, and by 2030 we want to have 193 000. We lack realism and I think we are misusing an international instrument by putting forward offers that are not real,” he said.
Outdated stats
National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) senior manager for sustainable energies and advisor to the minister of mines and energy Frans Kalenga, however, countered that the statistics used by the consultant may be outdated, as Namcor has recorded about 200 electric vehicles.
“Namcor is rolling out electric charging points at our service stations. Currently, there are about 200 electric vehicles. It’s just that you don’t see them because there is a lack of infrastructure. They use charging points at Grove Mall, First National Bank Namibia, Maerua Mall and BMW,” he said.
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