The just-ended three-day workshop held in Windhoek proposed establishing a National Coordination Group and sub-focal groups to drive the development of green hydrogen policy and legislation.
Although Namibia is developing the biggest green hydrogen plant in sub-Saharan Africa, the country has no policy to regulate the sector.
The existing laws can cover some aspects of the green hydrogen sector, but they must be revised.
The presidential advisor, James Mnyupe, who is also the green hydrogen commissioner, said the workshop also discussed establishing a foundation for a groundbreaking sectoral legislative framework that supports green energy sources focusing on green hydrogen and the incubation of a low-carbon industry in Namibia.
“The workshop served as a platform for key stakeholders to receive updates on the ongoing initiatives within the green industrialisation efforts.
“The goal was to explore how these initiatives can be seamlessly integrated within the existing efforts, thereby creating a synergy for maximum socio-economic impact,” he said.
According to Mnyupe, the workshop also sought to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of crafting impactful policies and legislation, defining the preliminary scope of the legislation and presenting a potential legislative roadmap.
More than 70 representatives attended the workshop.
By the look of things, Namibia must amend more than six laws to develop a green hydrogen legislature.
Some laws to be amended are the Water Resources Management Act of 2004, the Water Resources Management Act of 2013, the Energy Regulatory Authority Bill of 2019, the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Bill of 2016, the Standards Act of 2005 and the Electricity Act of 2007.
