National green hydrogen roadshows visit Omusati, Oshana
Informing the nation
Hyphen is currently on a countrywide tour to promote the nascent green hydrogen industry.
The national green hydrogen roadshow recently resumed, visiting the northern regions of Omusati and Oshana. The roadshows are organised by the government and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy. The roadshow meetings on 11 and 12 April were led by Obeth Kandjoze, director-general of the National Planning Commission and chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council. Regional governors Erginus Endjala (Omusati) and Elia Irimari (Oshana) hosted the engagements.
Government and Hyphen engaged with local and regional leaders. There were also meetings with governmental offices, ministries and agencies, businesses, civil society as well as engagement with the youth in the northern regions, sharing information on the Hyphen project and its socioeconomic development (SED) framework, Hyphen said in a statement.
Both sessions in the regions were well-attended and engaged with various stakeholders to explain more about the project. The SED framework, designed to ensure the project's benefits are shared with the local community, will provide opportunities for local businesses, create jobs and support local infrastructure development. Hyphen and the government are keen to understand more about what concerns and questions the stakeholders have by having an open and transparent conversation about the project, its timelines and its goals, the company added.
The Hyphen project is the first step in implementing government's strategy to establish a large-scale green hydrogen industry in Namibia to support its economic growth. The total investment of US$10 billion - roughly the equivalent of Namibia's annual gross domestic product, will help transform the country.
The project is estimated to create up to 15 000 new jobs during the construction phase and 3 000 permanent jobs during its operation, with a target for around 90% of these jobs to be filled by Namibians. Hyphen targets 30% local procurement for goods, services and materials throughout the construction and operational phases, it said.
The roadshow will make more stops across the regions in the coming weeks and months to inform and engage with stakeholders on the Hyphen project.