French outfit HDF, a global pioneer in hydrogen power plants, has progressed with the establishment of the Swakopmund green hydrogen power plant. This was by formalizing its partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The partnership formalization took place during the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in 2022.
Dr. Werner Hoyer, the European Investment Bank President, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, and Dr. Hage Geingob made the announcement on the new green hydrogen cooperation at the Namibian pavilion of COP 27.
Read also: Korea celebrates completion of world’s first hydrogen fuel cell power plant.
The partnership is a huge step toward delivering Namibia’s goal of clean energy. This is According to the European Commission president, Geingob. He stated that the new investment shows Namibia’s leadership in green hydrogen.
The project’s backers
Nicolas Lecomte expressed his gratitude to the European Investment Bank for continuing to support the Swakopmund green hydrogen power plant project. Lecomte is HDF’s Director for Southern and East Africa.
According to Nicolas Lecomte, the signing is an essential step for the organization’s ongoing engagement with the EIB for the project. He also said that it brings them one step closer to the financial close of the first significant green hydrogen project in Africa in 2023.
Additionally, the European Investment Bank collaborates with renowned partners to deliver clean energy investment in Africa.
HDF will help accelerate the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen infrastructure in Namibia. It will be based on investments that have been successfully implemented in South America. This is according to the president of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer.
Maria Shaw-Barragan, the EIB’s director of lending and also Nicolas Lecomte, signed the agreement. Lipumbu Shiimi, the finance minister, also witnessed the signing. Shaw-Barragan is the director of lending for Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, Asia, and Latin America.
Along with Geingob’s announcement of a new 500 million euro sovereign loan facility to develop the country’s green hydrogen sector, Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, also unveiled the new agreement between HDF Energy and the European Investment Bank.
Who is in charge of the Swakopmund green hydrogen power plant construction?
Swakopmund’s green hydrogen power plant is currently under construction by HDF Energy in the Erongo region.
When the project is up and running, it will enhance clean electricity generation. It is expected that the electricity generated will be sufficient 24/7. This will also enhance grid support services. It is expected to directly contribute to Namibia’s security of electricity supply.
