Green Hydrogen in Namakwa: Unlocking South Africa's Sustainable Energy Potential

Dr Thina Nzo explores the advantages of Namakwa, a location in South Africa, for the production and export of green hydrogen.

Namakwa's strategic position on the Atlantic Coast provides access to natural resources for desalination, essential for green hydrogen production, and offers a significant advantage for exporting the hydrogen to the global North, where investor interest is high.

The Northern Cape region's existing renewable energy resources make energy production cost-effective. Additionally, Namakwa's large, uninhabited lands present an opportunity for development, although acquiring this land has proven challenging.

Lastly, Namakwa's transition from a diamond mining community offers an opportunity to bring new skills to the local population, but the lack of a skilled workforce, particularly in engineering and mining, poses a significant challenge.