Water vs green hydrogen: Where is the balance in Africa?

Will hydrogen from hydrolysis exacerbate the already existing water security issue? What is the discharge temperature from the hydrogen production? Are South Africa and Namibia collaborating on green hydrogen projects, or is it a race to see who reaches commercialisation first?

These are some of the key questions that were asked by the audience during a recent Hydrogen-Water Connection webinar hosted by ESI Africa.

Speakers Shawn Modise, Acting CEO of the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA) and Dr Zivayi Chiguvare of the University of Namibia, Acting Director of the Namibian Green Hydrogen Institute, shared their expertise on the use of green hydrogen production in their respective countries.

Modise shared that the Northern Cape province is currently conducting a strategic environmental assessment, which will give direction on the element of renewable production. 

“The second phase of the project is to have, under the auspices of the ITP, strengthen the participation of RE providers. The province is going to be intentional on how we elevate the participation of the local companies in the renewable energy space to have a focused allocation for the opportunities presented,” he said. 

Can Africa scale its green hydrogen ambitions without compromising water security? Watch this webinar that explores the critical hydrogen-water nexus shaping the continent’s energy future.

Balancing water security with green hydrogen production

On the issue of hydrolysis exacerbating the already existing water security, the audience heard that there are segments within the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that consider various elements and would be used as an instrument for policy makers. 

Namibia and South Africa have significant similarities when it comes to green hydrogen development, establishing both countries as emerging players in Africa’s clean energy future. These include:

• Abundant renewable energy resources such as solar and wind.
• Government-led strategic initiatives: Namibia has the Namibia Green Hydrogen Strategy and is home to the Namibia Green Hydrogen Council. South Africa has the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, with initiatives driven by the Department of Science and Innovation.
• International partnerships and funding: Both countries are actively collaborating with foreign governments, development banks, and private investors.
• Water scarcity challenges: Both face critical questions about water availability for electrolysis, especially in arid regions.

Modise shared that the Green Hydrogen (GH2) revolution is not just an energy opportunity—it’s a strategic shift toward redefining sustainability, infrastructure, and industrialisation in the Northern Cape and beyond.

He said as the Northern Cape positions itself at the heart of South Africa’s clean energy transition, they are anchoring the GH2 Masterplan within the broader framework of the Northern Cape Industrial Corridor—a bold, integrated approach to future-proof development.

“The integration of GH2 value chains, sustainable infrastructure, and critical water feedstock solutions (desalination, water reuse, and circular economy practices) forms the bedrock of this transformation. These are not just technical ambitions—they are developmental imperatives aligned with our province’s just transition, economic diversification, and spatial reconfiguration goals.”

Cover photo:  neirfy©123rf