N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6982 FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Walvis Bay State Hospital decaying away Eileen van der Schyff
A READER sent in photos revealing the run-down condition of the Walvis Bay state hospital. The Walvis Bay resident is asking questions about who oversees the maintenance of the hospital. The resident in disgust told the Namib Times to take a drive past the hospital to see the terrible state it is in. “Just driving past the hospital is an eyesore, never mind the condition inside. Old tires and rubbish are strewn all over the place. The kerbstones are wasting away causing the interlocks of pavements to drop away without that shouldering strength that kept them intact. Inside the hospital, apart from being dirty, chairs and ceilings are broken, rubbish, that includes condoms, decorate pot plants in the waiting area. This is inside a hospital where hygiene is of utmost importance. How can this even be allowed?” exclaimed the resident.
inside Two vessels collide in thick fog
Page 2
Local Cross Boarder Truck Drivers sidelined
Africa's first hydrogen power plant Rudi Bowe
French independent power producer, Hydrogène de France (HDF Energy) will construct Afica's first green hydrogen power plant in Swakopmund, Namibia. HDF Energy anticipates its green hydrogen power plant in Namibia will begin producing electricity by 2024. Once completed, the N$3.1 billion (R3.1 billion) Swakopmund project will provide clean energy power 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, improving electricity supplies in the Southern African nation that imports almost 40% of its power from South Africa. Namibia, one of the world's sunniest and least densely populated countries, wants to harness its vast potential for solar and wind energy to produce green hydrogen and position the country as a renewable energy hub in Africa. Hydrogen is categorised "green" when it is made with renewable power and is seen as key to help decarbonise industry, though the technology remains immature and relatively costly. HDF Energy's power plant uses no fossil fuels, chemicals or toxic substances. The project fully relies on renewable energy resources and hydrogen storage and operates using minimal water in a closed loop system. HDF Energy director for Southern Africa Nicolas Lecomte said that the project will see 85 megawatts (MW) of solar panels powering electrolysers to produce hydrogen that can be stored. "Yearly we can produce 142 gigawatt hours, enough for 142,000 inhabitants and that is conservative.This important step in the permitting process confirms a favourable context for the project. As a result, HDF Energy is one step closer to constructing the first green hydrogen power Continues on page 2
Page 3
Kativa's replacement sworn in
Plans underway to refurbish Rudi Bowe fuel railway link Plans are underway to refurbish the fuel railway link at Walvis Bay as portions of the link that transports fuel via tankers from Namport to various depots at Walvis Bay have reached the end of their lifespan and have been deemed unsafe. The Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa on Monday 12 September met with stakeholders to discuss the upgrading of the Walvis Bay Railway Line, which is in line with the Namibian transport policy that leads towards an Continues on page 2
Page 4
Sports News Pages 18 - 20