Robert Habeck will not see much when he arrives in Namibia. The Economics Minister’s hope lies in a huge exclusion zone in the desert in southern Namibia. Diamond deposits are here. But the Green politician is looking for something else. For something that is even more valuable to him: hydrogen.
For the first time in his term of office, the Vice Chancellor will leave for Africa this weekend. He will be on the road in Namibia and South Africa for five days. Unlike his previous trips, where his main task was to find new gas, this trip is of the utmost importance for Habeck’s great vision – the climate-friendly transformation of the economy.
There is probably no better place in the world to produce electricity from renewable sources.
Rainer BakeGreen Party politician and Namibia Special Envoy
“There is probably no better place in the world to produce electricity from renewable energies,” says Rainer Baake about southern Namibia. There is almost always wind, sun and plenty of space here. Since June, the former Secretary of State for Energy Habecks has been the special representative for the German-Namibian climate and energy cooperation, which has officially existed since March.
Germany is primarily interested in a mega project. The German-South African consortium Hyphen wants to produce green hydrogen on a large scale on the southwest coast, which can then be shipped around the world as ammonia. 15,000 jobs are to be created for the construction, the investment volume roughly corresponds to the current gross national product of Namibia. A port terminal for export and a seawater desalination plant are also planned.
“It’s a win-win-win-win project,” says Baake, who has been there several times. The green electricity should free Namibia from dirty coal imports from South Africa and make it the first African country with 100 percent renewable energies. Germany, the largest European consumer of ammonia, on the other hand, could cover half of its needs from Namibia and also save gas.
Habeck wants to secure as much Namibian hydrogen as possible, and the partnership should be deepened with some agreements. However, the heads of the energy companies accompanying Habeck have to negotiate contracts. Habeck’s promise of climate-neutral prosperity can only be realized if industry can get hold of green hydrogen.
According to Rainer Baake, the fact that Germany’s future is being negotiated in Namibia of all places, where the German colonial rulers committed the genocide of the native Nama and Herero at the beginning of the 20th century, is not a problem. “It hasn’t played a role so far,” he says. According to Baake, Germany seriously wants to get involved in the region. “Further projects will follow this lighthouse.”
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Source: Tagesspiegel
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