King Filip in Namibia to promote cooperation on green energy
King Filip landed in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Monday at the start of an official visit. He is accompanied by Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Flemish green) and several Belgian companies. The aim is to give an extra boost to cooperation on green hydrogen.
The aim of the mission is to boost cooperation on green hydrogen. Namibia is ideally placed to produce renewable energy thanks to its coastline of more than 1,500 kilometres and its many hours of sunshine. The country has great ambitions and wants to become a major local player in the field of green energy, particularly green hydrogen.
It is no coincidence that Namibia is betting on green hydrogen, sometimes called the "champagne of energy transition". Hydrogen - which is made by the electrolysis of water - is very valuable and is cited as the green energy source of the future. Among other things, it can be used as fuel for ships or as a raw material for a variety of industrial and chemical processes.
Namibia is attractive as a partner country
By 2050, Namibia plans to be producing 10 to 15 million tons of hydrogen annually, National Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe announced in mid-April. This great potential makes Namibia an attractive partner country with which to cooperate. Belgium is not alone in showing an interest. Germany wants to invest billions in green hydrogen projects in Namibia and the Netherlands also has several development projects underway.
European countries hope to be able to ship green hydrogen in liquid form - as green ammonia. After all, producing green hydrogen in Belgium is not yet profitable - for now - due to the insufficient availability of renewable electricity.
King’s trip should provide a boost
Belgium hopes to have an edge on rivals. In 2021, Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten agreed a strategic partnership with her Namibian counterpart to work together on green hydrogen.
The king's visit will highlight the knowledge of Belgian companies and opportunities to cooperate on renewable energy. Belgian companies are world leaders when it comes to expertise in the transition to renewable energy.
