By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK, Aug. 14 – In a significant stride towards establishing Namibia as a global leader in the green hydrogen sector, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) has announced a strategic partnership with ILF Consulting Engineers (ILF), a renowned independent international engineering and consulting firm. This collaboration aims to support the realization of a groundbreaking green hydrogen project.
Under this partnership, ILF, recognized for its extensive experience in large-scale energy and pipeline projects, will play a pivotal role by offering project management services, technical expertise, procurement, and contract advisory for Hyphen’s project in Namibia. Additionally, ILF will provide invaluable insights for the project’s implementation, aligning with Hyphen’s socio-economic development objectives.
Notable among ILF’s accomplishments in the hydrogen arena are its contributions to Canada’s first-ever green hydrogen project, the engineering and design of a hydrogen pipeline system in Finland, and the design of a hydrogen plant in Austria.
Marco Raffinetti, CEO of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing ILF’s wealth of experience in hydrogen projects globally. This collaboration will be instrumental in adhering to project timelines and meeting Namibia’s development objectives. Raffinetti further highlighted the strong interest from potential consortium partners, underscoring Namibia’s position as an attractive destination for investment in large-scale green hydrogen projects.
Dr. Michel Kneller, Director of Hydrogen at ILF, echoed this sentiment, stating that the venture with Hyphen represents a significant lighthouse project. By providing engineering and project management consultancy (PMC) services, ILF contributes to the energy transition, recognizing hydrogen’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
Hyphen’s project, one of the largest green hydrogen initiatives on a global scale, aims to decarbonize Namibia’s energy systems while also serving international markets. The project’s ambitious goals include an annual production target of one million tonnes of green ammonia by 2027, with plans to increase production to two million tonnes by 2029, leading to a reduction of 5-6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. At full-scale operation, the project could generate 350,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.
Located in Tsau // Khaeb National Park, this project serves as a blueprint for future green hydrogen initiatives worldwide. It aligns with the Namibian Government’s strategic vision of establishing a large-scale green hydrogen industry, aiming to bolster economic growth in Namibia through a substantial US$10 billion investment, roughly equivalent to Namibia’s annual GDP.
Anticipated to create up to 15,000 new jobs during the construction phase and 3,000 permanent jobs during operation, Hyphen’s project strives for around 90% of these positions to be filled by Namibians. Furthermore, the project sets a target of 30% local procurement for goods, services, and materials throughout both the construction and operational phases.
