Welcome to the

Namibia Green Hydrogen Research Institute

The University of Namibia is host to the established Namibia Green Hydrogen Research Institute (NGHRI) through a Senate Resolution (SEN/21/147/10 of 12 October 2021), and approval by Council Resolution (C/22/134/09, of 31 March 2022), in response to Government of Namibia’s Green Hydrogen initiatives. NGHRI is envisaged to be an exemplary Science and Technology Park in the form of a self-contained mini campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure, fully equipped laboratories, Research and Development experimental stations, private sector and government representative offices and experiment stations, an entrepreneurship and start-up incubation centre, a training centre and wellness facilities. The University of Namibia has, and will avail, land for the development of the Institute.

Abundant, affordable energy is the foundation of a healthy economy. The NGHRI is committed to solving important energy challenges:

  • Turning raw technology into practical solutions that create exceptional value in the global marketplace.
  • Developing new technologies, technical insight, and training to produce, store, deliver, and utilize green hydrogen energy in a variety of applications.
  • A future featuring greater levels of energy security, environmental progress, and economic prosperity.
  • Industry leadership, while minimizing environmental impact.

Vision Statement
The vision of the NGHRI is to advance the frontiers of green hydrogen science and promote Namibian economy through research and development of hydrogen as an energy fuel.

This vision will be realized through research and development, training of skilled and versatile workforce capable of innovating in energy and new materials, culminating in the establishment of hydrogen production industry, storage, delivery, and usage infrastructure in Namibia.

Mission Statement
To unlock the potential of the green economy, as envisaged by the Namibia Harambee Prosperity Plan II, through policy formulation and development of a Hydrogen Energy value chain that facilitates the transition to green energy, through innovation in the science of advanced materials and engineering.

Functions

  • to function as a Science and Technology Park for university-industry-government consortia.
  • to perform research and development activities and build capacity for the green hydrogen economy in Namibia.
  • to promote entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovative projects for the advancement and large-scale sustainable production of Green Hydrogen and Ammonia.
  • to be a multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary hub of research and innovation with special focus on applied research, engineering, technology, social, economic, and environmental sciences.
  • to strengthen specialties on R&D of components and systems of the energy chain.
  • to establish technology-based solutions that increase optionality, affordability, and resilience of the integrated energy system.
  • to provide a variety of services such as applied and basic research, consultancies, commissioned research, capacity building, incubation services and piloting, technology transfer and commercialization.

Organisational Structure

Projects
NGHRI/ UNAM is a research partner to the consortia selected for pilot projects funded by the German Ministry of Training and Research (BMBF), through SASSCAL Namibia. The pilot projects are expected to run for a minimum period of 24 months – between 2023 and 2025.

  Pilot Project Project Partners Current Status
1 Daures Green Hydrogen Village

Enersense, University of Stuttgart, Enapter, Windwise;

Uni-Stuttgart and UNAM/ NGHRI

Project launched in April 2023;

Construction works at an advanced stage;

 
2 H2 Pilot Plant/ Refuelling Station in Walvis Bay

Cleanergy Solutions Namibia (Joint Venture = CMB.TECH + Ohlthaver & List Group)

BAM and UNAM/ NGHRI

Project launched in September 2023;

Refuelling Station inaugurated in May 2024.

 
3 Hydrogen Dual-Fuel Locomotive Pilot Project

Hyphen Technical Investment Limited, CMB Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Traxtion (Pty) Ltd, Nicholas Holdings Limited, TransNamib;

BAM and UNAM/ NGHRI

 Finalising contractual agreements

Through these projects and various collaborations with national and international partners, UNAM will set up state of the art Green Hydrogen research laboratories that will serve not only the pilot projects in Namibia, but beyond. Materials Compatibility, and Hydrogen safety and handling are some of the areas of specialisation being developed.

 

Planned Activities
Planned major events involving external partners include:

  1. Africa – German Green Hydrogen Forum hosted by UNAM and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, in Windhoek, 1-2 September 2024.
  2. Global Green Hydrogen Summit, 3-5 September 2024, in Windhoek (NGHRI is a member of the Organizing Committee).
  3. Green Hydrogen Masterclass III – October 2024 (in collaboration with Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and Hans Seidels Foundation)

Contact Details of NGHRI Staff

Dr. Zivayi Chiguvare
Acting Director
E-mail: zchiguvare@unam.na
Office Line: 061 206 3401
Cell: 081 150 0439
Dr. Natangue Shafudah
Acting Projects Coordinator
E-mail: nshafudah@unam.na
Office Line: 061 206 3401
Cell: 081 810 3377
Ms. Hobasen Uiras
Administrative Assistant
E-mail: huiras@unam.edu.na
Office Line: 061 206 3222
Cell: 081 744 1844