馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Namibia's green energy potential: balancing hope, hype, and greenwashing
via The Namibian6 min read
Disney Andreas, a Namibian communication professional, discusses the growing excitement in Namibia about its renewable energy potential, particularly in green hydrogen. The country aims to leverage its abundant sunshine and strong coastal winds to become a leader in green energy, promising jobs, economic growth, and energy independence. Projects like Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, HyIron Oshivela Facility, and Daures Green Hydrogen Village are highlighted as examples of this momentum, attracting international investment and technology. However, Andreas cautions against "greenwashing," where optimistic promises overshadow practical challenges. She emphasizes the need for honest conversations about the impact of large projects on land and nature, especially in sensitive areas and regarding water usage in an arid country. Concerns are raised about whether jobs and benefits will genuinely reach Namibians, and the adequacy of public participation, particularly for indigenous groups. Andreas points out red flags such as vague promises without clear timelines, a focus on positive aspects while downplaying trade-offs like water consumption or limited local benefits, and narratives that ignore on-the-ground realities. She cites the ReconAfrica oil exploration in the Kavango regions as a cautionary tale regarding weak public participation and insufficient engagement. Andreas concludes by stressing the importance of learning from past experiences and insisting on genuine free, prior, and infor
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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