Simson's Journey: Strengthening Energy Ties through Hydrogen Collaboration in Namibia and South Africa
Commissioner Kadri Simson's Agenda for Hydrogen Cooperation in Namibia and South Africa
Commissioner Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy, will embark on a mission to Namibia and South Africa starting from September 9. The focus of her visit is to strengthen partnerships in the realm of clean energy, particularly green hydrogen development.
Commissioner Simson's itinerary includes attending the Global African Hydrogen Summit in Windhoek, Namibia. During the summit, she will participate in panel discussions and engage in dialogue about Africa's Hydrogen & Clean Energy Frontiers, providing insights into the industry's next major opportunities.
In Windhoek, Commissioner Simson will also attend a ministerial panel on the same topic, further emphasising the EU's commitment to hydrogen cooperation. She will meet with Minister Ramogkopa to discuss the green hydrogen agenda and the EU's engagement in the development of South Africa's electricity transmission grid.
Following her stay in Namibia, Commissioner Simson will travel to Pretoria, South Africa, where she will meet with Minister Parks Tau. Their discussion will centre around collaboration on critical raw materials and value chains, including e-vehicles and electric batteries.
The EU has endorsed a roadmap for the EU-Namibia strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen, supported by €1 billion in investments. The details of Commissioner Simson's press conference will be available on EbS.
During her visit, Commissioner Simson will also attend the signing ceremony of several programs funded by the EU institutions and its Member States to support Namibia's clean energy transition and hydrogen development.
In addition, Commissioner Simson will visit the 'HyIron' site for the production of green iron and the Port of Walvis Bay, which the EU is supporting to turn into an industrial and logistics hub for the region. She will also explore the 'Towards an Inclusive Design of the Renewable Energy Transition' (TIDRET) project.
The aim of Commissioner Simson's visit is to facilitate collaboration, investment, technology transfer, and policy dialogue centred on renewable hydrogen. This collaboration is expected to boost sustainable energy relations with Namibia, South Africa, and the broader African region through initiatives like the Global African Hydrogen Summit.
The EU's role in these partnerships is to leverage its expertise and investment to accelerate hydrogen sector development in these countries, supporting their clean energy transition goals within the global green hydrogen agenda. While specific details on Namibia and South Africa projects are not explicitly detailed, the focus remains on strengthening cooperation, enhancing grid resilience, and encouraging projects that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
- Commissioner Simson's visit to Namibia and South Africa demonstrates the EU's commitment to the energy transition, focusing on the development of green hydrogen and clean energy in the industry, as part of the global green hydrogen agenda.
- The EU's investments in renewable hydrogen and sustainable raw materials value chains, totaling €1 billion, aim to support Namibia's clean energy transition and hydrogen development, furthering the role of finance in the energy sector.
- During Commissioner Simson's visit, various programs will be signed, funded by the EU institutions and its Member States, intended to help Namibia's hydrogen development and clean energy transition, aligning with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
