Giuseppe Surace, chief operating officer of Hyphen Energy, said Namibia’s ambitious green hydrogen project will transform the country’s economy, infrastructure and global reputation.
He called the multi-billion-dollar initiative “massive and transformational,” saying it would bring not only clean energy production but also significant social and economic benefits.
“This project is coming with the vision of the Namibian people for the great utilisation of land and resources in the country. It is a full green hydrogen development of the highest standard, made up of several packages,” he said.
Surace added that the project is primarily based on a combination of solar and wind power, which will produce electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
He said hydrogen will then be shipped to Luderitz, where it will be transformed into ammonia for export.
Surace stated that ammonia presents a dual opportunity.
It can either be used directly as a fuel or converted back into hydrogen.
The project also includes a new port, desalination plants and road upgrades that Surace said will transform Luderitz’s layout and establish a modern industrial hub.
He stressed that although agreements with the government require local participation, Hyphen Energy considers it a personal and corporate responsibility.
“Local content is not just a requirement. It is a benefit for the project itself. Our goal is to enhance Namibia’s capacity. If today the country’s capacity is at 100, by the end of the project, we aim to see it at 120, 130 or even 140,” Surace said.
A recent baseline study conducted by Hyphen Hydrogen Energy indicates that Namibia has solid foundations to build on.
Hyphen Energy plans to work with local firms to enhance their skills and capabilities while encouraging international manufacturers to establish a footprint in Namibia.
With more than 4 000 square kilometres of solar fields to be developed, Surace believes the scale of the project will make it attractive for global players from China, Europe, Japan and the Middle East to set up manufacturing plants locally.
“They will be assured that part of the job will be executed by them. They will have greater opportunities later,” he said.
Surace, who has overseen large-scale projects across Africa, including in Nigeria, believes Namibia’s initiative will spark broader industrial development across the southern corridor.
“Once our project starts, many others will follow. This will be a natural setup of capacity in the country that will create opportunities far beyond what people imagine today,” he said.
He added that, for Hyphen Energy, which has longstanding roots in Africa, Namibia’s green hydrogen drive is both a business opportunity and a chance to participate in a continental energy transformation.
“My commitment is to associate myself with a truly transformational project. This is exactly what Namibia is building,” he said.
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