Amid climate urgency, green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy—is emerging as the fuel of the future. And two nations thousands of miles apart, Namibia and Chile, are leading a quiet but high-stakes race to become the world’s green hydrogen exporters.
Green hydrogen emits only water when used, making it ideal for heavy industry and long-haul transport. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global demand will grow 50-fold by 2030.
Namibia, with its vast desert solar potential and Atlantic coastline, launched the Hydrogen Valley project in 2023. Backed by €5 billion in commitments from Germany, the EU, and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, it aims to produce 2 million tons annually by 2030—enough to power 3 million European homes.
Meanwhile, Chile’s Magallanes region, with some of the world’s strongest winds, hosts projects by Enel and Siemens targeting 25 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030. The Chilean government has slashed permitting timelines to just 90 days for green hydrogen ventures.
Both countries share key advantages:
- Abundant, low-cost renewables (solar in Namibia, wind in Chile)
- Minimal domestic energy demand, enabling export focus
- Strategic partnerships with industrialized nations seeking energy security
Critically, these projects prioritize local inclusion. In Namibia, 30% of equity in flagship ventures is reserved for community trusts. In Chile, Indigenous Mapuche groups co-manage land leases.
“The Global South isn’t just supplying raw materials anymore,” says Fatima Nkosi, Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Mines. “We’re exporting clean energy sovereignty.”
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