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“ The Hyphen project has the potential to be a game-changer for the region .”
— Sebastian Surie
Sebastian Surie : We are also committed to ensuring that the projects benefit local communities . For example , we are working with local governments to create training programmes that will provide the skills needed for jobs in the green hydrogen sector . This is not only good for the local economy but also ensures that the projects have a sustainable workforce over the long term . provide tangible benefits to the local economy and communities , in terms of job creation and economic development .
The role of policy and partnerships What role do governments and policy frameworks play in the success of these projects ? Sebastian Surie : Government support is absolutely critical for the success of green hydrogen projects , particularly in emerging markets . In Namibia and South Africa , we have seen strong support from local governments , both in terms of policy and financial incentives . This has been key to attracting investors and getting projects off the ground .
Hyphen and other projects Can you provide some examples of projects you are currently working on ? Sebastian Surie : One of our largest projects is the Hyphen hydrogen project in Namibia , set to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for export using Namibia ’ s extensive renewable resources . This project has the potential to be a gamechanger for the region .
We also recently signed a funding agreement with HyIron to develop Africa ’ s first green iron plant that will use green hydrogen .
In South Africa , we are working on several initiatives , including projects focused on green steel and green ammonia production , as well as building the infrastructure to support these industries . We are also exploring opportunities to produce green fertilisers and synthetic fuels . These projects are still in the development phase , but they have enormous potential to decarbonise key sectors of the South African economy .
We want to ensure that these projects not only contribute to the global energy transition but also
In Namibia , for example , the government has been very proactive in creating a regulatory framework that supports green hydrogen development . This includes offering land concessions for renewable energy projects and providing incentives for companies that want to invest in the hydrogen sector . Similarly , in South Africa , the government has launched several initiatives to promote the development of green hydrogen , including publicprivate partnerships and financial support for research and development .
At the international level , we are also seeing growing support for green hydrogen from organisations like the European Union , which has committed significant funding to hydrogen projects as part of its Green Deal . Green hydrogen is not yet competitive with its grey counterpart , and the sector requires government
“ Partnerships are critical – no single organisation can develop these projects on their own .”
— Willem Frens
14 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 19 | December 2024