Windhoek, 4 September 2024
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is a special moment.
Today we officially launch and sign three EU-funded programmes to support Namibia on its green industrialisation path. This package is Global Gateway in action – it will invest in hard infrastructure as well as the enabling regulatory and policy environment.
And it invests here in Namibia – a country well positioned to benefit from the Green Hydrogen economy.
The EU wants to help Namibia drive its green industrialisation, achieve energy security and increase prosperity for its citizens as envisioned under the Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030.
We also want to support Namibia as it positions itself prominently on the global energy map.
And I have no doubt that these programmes will contribute to all that.
The first programme is EU support to Namibian and South African green hydrogen investment funds. Our support totals EUR 50 million. Investment will especially target private sector projects across the hydrogen value chain, such as the production, transportation and storage, as well as downstream industries.
Second, together with Germany, we are proud to sign the country window for Namibia for the EU-Get.transform programme, totalling EUR 2,7 million. This will support the Ministry of Mines and Energy on energy planning and help Namibia to expand its renewable generation capacity and increase access, by creating opportunities for decentralised renewable energy solutions in remote areas.
Finally, I am happy to sign the grant agreement to support the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, totalling EUR 1.2 million. This will ensure that the green hydrogen sector is steered and regulated by an effective support mechanism. I’m glad this programme is also supported by Germany and the Netherlands – so it’s true Team Europe in action.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namibia’s green industrialisation is a plan made by Namibians for Namibians. Team Europe is honoured to be chosen as your partner on this journey.
We look forward to taking this partnership to greater heights as we move ahead. As the African proverb goes, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Source – EU Commission
Opening remarks by Commissioner Simson at the Global African Hydrogen Summit ‘Global Hydrogen Panel: Delivering Africa’s Energy Transition Through The Development Of The Global Energy Map’
Thank you for the invitation. I’m delighted to be here representing the European Union. I’m especially pleased to be on this global hydrogen panel with all of you.
Five years ago, when I became EU Energy Commissioner, there was little talk of hydrogen. But very quickly, in just a few years, renewable hydrogen has emerged as a key enabler in the energy transition and green industrialisation. This is the case everywhere. Including here in Africa.
Renewable hydrogen presents many opportunities:
It can harness the vast renewable energy potential in many countries, also here on this continent.
It can support the growth of green industrial processes and the development of local value chains.
And critically, it can foster sustainable development in producer countries by creating new high skilled jobs and decarbonising the most polluting and hard to abate sectors.
It has game-changer potential. And it’s our job to make sure that potential becomes reality.
With this considered, let me make two brief points:
First, the clean energy transition needs a network of partnership. The EU sees that clearly. This is why we are working hard to deepen energy relations with many partners around the world.
We want to establish long-term relationships that are mutually beneficial, in particular in the area of energy, to accelerate the global green and just transition.
This is the idea behind the Global Gateway Strategy and the EUR 150 billion Africa-Europe Investment Package. It mobilises private sector finance and expertise and supports access to sustainable finance.
Second, we are delivering on this Strategy right here in Namibia. Our Team Europe Initiative on “inclusive green growth” provides more than EUR 1 billion to implement our Memorandum of Understanding. It targets the whole renewable hydrogen ecosystem, from infrastructure to governance and skills, and creates local value for critical raw materials value chains.
Later today I’ll be launching three EU-funded programmes showcasing Global Gateway, including one which will contribute to a dedicated GH2 investment facility and leveraging the private sector.
All this to say that renewable hydrogen offers many opportunities for people and planet.
Let’s make sure we collectively seize these economic and employment opportunities.
Source – EU Commission