Namibia harnessing power of renewable energy: Geingob

President Hage Geingob on Saturday said Namibia is harnessing the power of renewable energy to propel a new era of economic growth that is both environmentally conscious and socially inclusive.

Geingob made the pledge at the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge during COP28 in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying Namibia is positioning itself as a hub for renewable energy innovation, driving green industrialisation that creates jobs, fosters economic development and ensures energy access for all.

Geingob in his speech availed to Nampa on Sunday, said in this regard, Namibia is currently developing nine different green hydrogen projects that are looking to use renewable energy to produce clean molecules that will decarbonise various sectors of its economies, including transport and agriculture.

Namibia is also looking at creating whole new industries such as those emanating from the chemicals and basic material sectors. These activities promise to diversify the country’s exports and will significantly bolster its gross fixed capital formation.

“To do this, Namibia will need to deploy more than 10 gigawatts of renewables in the next two decades, more than 30 times our existing generation capacity, this is our pledge today. Namibia has generous deposits of lithium and light and heavy rare earth elements, critical raw minerals that are needed to engender the energy transition. Today the country is exploring ways to use these minerals to manufacture battery precursors within its borders, adding value to its natural endowments before exporting them and we are aiming to do so by deploying additional renewable energy,” Geingob said.

He added that significant new infrastructure such as new ports, roads, railways, transition lines and pipelines for water and hydrogen will have to be built.

“We recognise that green industrialisation is not just an economic imperative but a pathway to environmental sustainability and social equity. As we address the challenges posed by climate change, Namibia invites you to join hands in this most important collective effort,” the president said.

Namibia, he said, stands ready to collaborate, share knowledge, and forge partnerships that will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies across the African continent.

(NAMPA)
IS/EK/AS

(NAMPA)