Namibia’s ambitious plan to become a global hub for green hydrogen is raising environmental concerns about potential impacts on wildlife along its fragile coastline. The government has proposed large renewable energy and hydrogen production projects near the Tsau //Khaeb National Park, a remote desert and coastal ecosystem rich in biodiversity. While the initiative aims to produce green hydrogen using solar and wind power to help cut global carbon emissions, conservationists warn that infrastructure such as desalination plants, pipelines, wind turbines and port facilities could disturb critical marine habitats close to breeding areas of the endangered African Penguin.
The concerns are particularly focused on colonies around Mercury Island and other islands along the country’s Atlantic coast, which host some of the last remaining populations of African penguins. Fewer than 20,000 breeding pairs are believed to remain in the wild, and the species is already struggling due to overfishing, climate change and habitat disturbance. Scientists fear increased shipping traffic, construction noise and changes to marine ecosystems linked to large energy projects could further threaten the birds. Experts say Namibia’s renewable energy ambitions remain important for the global climate transition, but careful planning and environmental safeguards will be essential to ensure that green development does not come at the cost of one of Africa’s most endangered seabirds. More