TIRI MASAWI
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has thrown its weight behind the construction of a nuclear energy plant in Namibia in future.
The opposition party said nuclear energy is a potential solution to Namibia’s recurrent power challenges.
IPC Parliamentarian and Official Opposition Leader in Parliament, Imms Nashinge, who attended the Atomic Energy gathering last week in Russia told Namibia Business Review that the country is better off pursuing nuclear energy. He said this is a better solution to the power challenges as compared to green hydrogen which he says is still in its experimental stage.
“We stand to benefit more if we use our already existing uranium resources to create a nuclear plant. Our experience from this trip showed that there are investors who are keen to come to Namibia and develop such facilities. Our policy is very clear on energy. Namibia can easily develop a nuclear power plant. This will solve the power challenges we face once and for all,” Nashinge said.
PRESIDENTIAL BACKING
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made her administration’s plans to make nuclear energy one of the priorities in solving Namibia’s energy needs when she visited the Rössing Uranium Mine earlier in the year.
Nandi-Ndaitwah at that time said the establishment of a nuclear power plant in Namibia, which is rich in uranium resources should be used to drive national development and energy security.
“There is no dream too big to achieve. Collectively, let’s start moving towards a nuclear power plant in Namibia and identify potential partnerships to make this a reality,” Nandi-Ndaitwah earlier said.
In March this year, The Namibian reported that Nandi-Ndaitwah was doubting the green hydrogen industry as the main catalyst to revive Namibia’s struggling economy.
Instead, she appears to lean toward the oil and gas sector, viewing it as a more reliable path to economic recovery.
Nashinge agrees that the green hydrogen industry is still far off to be the main driver of Namibia’s economy. ,
“We cannot be pushing for green hydrogen which is still in its experimental stages when we have the uranium which can feed tried and tested industries.”
The opposition lawmaker said if Namibia joins the world to exploit nuclear for good reasons, the country will be able to transform itself from a perennial power importer to a net exporter within a shorter period.
“We must understand that without adequate power there will not be any significant industrialisation. So what other better ways are there than to exploit resources like uranium which we already have,” he said.
Nashinge said this will not only create jobs for the people but will also deal with the challenges of power that the country is facing.
“We should also understand that nuclear power is not only good for power but has a good medicinal aspect to it. It will work well for our health industry if we do have the plants here and part of these can be used to manufacture medicines for our people,” he said.
According to the World Nuclear Association, Namibia was the third largest world producer of uranium in 2024 with 12%, only trailing Kazakhstan (39%) and Canada (24%).
Nashinge said Namibia is well positioned as the world’s largest uranium producer, with potential to supply between 10 to 11% of global mined uranium.
“We have the fuel that powers clean energy worldwide. Yet, our nation still imports over half of its electricity and can’t attract industrialisation. A floating nuclear reactor is the key to turning this paradox into progress.This isn’t just about energy, it’s about economic transformation,” Nashinge said
CHANGING FORTUNES
The push for nuclear energy in Namibia also comes at a time when German energy company, RWE withdrew from a non-binding agreement to purchase green ammonia from the US$10 billion Hyphen green hydrogen project in Namibia
The withdrawal, confirmed by RWE, is seen as a setback for Namibia’s ambitions to become a major hydrogen hub.
RWE cited market conditions as a primary reason for the withdrawal. The company said the green hydrogen market is developing slower than expected in Europe.The Hyphen project in Namibia is facing criticism from indigenous rights groups, specifically the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA). The groups voiced concerns over the project’s location on ancestral Nama lands within a national park. However RWE stated that its decision was unrelated to these complaints, but the NTLA welcomed the withdrawal.
UNCERTAIN TIMES
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) this week also confirmed its Founding Head of Programme and Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe, will leave the institution on 1 November this year.
The Programme Communications department in a statement released on Thursday said Mnyupe has been at the forefront of positioning Namibia as a continental leader in the green hydrogen economy.
“Through his vision and dedication, and under the guidance of the Green Hydrogen Council as well as the support of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, the nation has taken remarkable strides in transforming a bold national idea into a tangible reality,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Mnyupe achieved significant milestones in the past five years including mobilising over €120 million in investment into Namibia’s green hydrogen sector, positioning Namibia as a benchmark in Africa, being among the first nations to establish a green hydrogen industry and facilitating flagship projects such as HyIron-Oshivela, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, Daures Green Hydrogen Village, HDF Energy, and Zhero, with several already producing green steel and ammonia.
They said Mnyupe also spearheaded skills development initiatives, particularly through the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Programme, which has enabled more than 180 Namibians to pursue specialised training in renewable energy and hydrogen-related fields at both vocational and postgraduate levels.
“Mr Mnyupe’s tenure has been defined by a deep commitment to advancing Namibia’s long-term prosperity, particularly for its youth. His stewardship established the country as a global reference point for innovative approaches to green industrialisation. Through his efforts, Namibia now stands firmly on the world map as a leader in clean energy,” the statement said.
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