The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) announced a N$5 million (€250,000) study to evaluate the feasibility of a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline between Namibia and South Africa.
The Green Hydrogen Programme of Namibia will conduct the study, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries in May 2024 at the World Hydrogen Summit.
The proposed pipeline would connect Lüderitz in Namibia to South Africa’s Northern Cape, with potential for future extensions.
Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, stated that the study will assess the technical, commercial, environmental, and social feasibility of the project, focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices.
The study also aims to establish a sustainable and interconnected energy corridor in Southern Africa.
“If successful, this pipeline could be the first intra-country hydrogen backbone in Africa, paving the way for the trade of more complex products in Southern Africa. This is a key step we are taking as we look to unleash the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area and realize the ideals of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want,” he said.
The project brings together key players such as the Western Cape Tourism, Investment and Trade Agency (Wesgro), the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA), the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), Gasunie Waterstof Holding B.V., and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) NL B.V.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa proposed a possible hydrogen partnership with Namibia in October 2020, as the neighboring country planned to become a major exporter of green hydrogen through the implementation of the Boegoebaai hydrogen power project.
South Africa has unveiled a N$300-billion (US$20 billion) investment pipeline under a Green Hydrogen National Programme, designated as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) for accelerated development under the country’s Infrastructure Development Act.
The country reportedly has the potential to produce up to 13 million tonnes of green hydrogen and derivatives a year by 2050. However, achieving this would require between 140GW and 300GW of renewable energy, representing a massive scale-up in a context where South Africa has procured only about 7GW of wind and solar since 2011.