Article

The GreeN-H2-Namibia project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), has published a report on water management in Namibia's Central Hydrogen Valley in the Erongo region. The report aims to support decision-makers by establishing a foundation for proactive and integrated planning before infrastructure expansion and hydrogen economy development exceed governance structures.

The Central Hydrogen Valley, encompassing Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Arandis, and Uis, faces increasing pressure on water supply and infrastructure due to rising industrial activity. Without a clear overview of future water needs and coordinated planning, the region risks costly duplication of desalination infrastructure and adverse impacts on sensitive coastal ecosystems. The report recommends three key actions: liberalizing the water market, integrated planning and shared infrastructure development across industrial hubs, and multi-level stakeholder engagement to promote integrated water planning.