Engaging local communities in large-scale H2/PtX project planning. To ensure meaningful local community engagement, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), ENERTRAG SE and Colombia's Colibri Energy are launching a public-private partnership under the International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) to develop and test strategies for the inclusion of e.g. indigenous communities during the planning processes of large-scale hydrogen and power-to-X projects. The aim is to reduce social and permitting risks during the planning, construction and operation phases by integrating robust participation mechanisms from the outset. The partnership combines complementary strengths: ENERTRAG contributes experience from developing utility-scale H2/PtX projects in rural contexts; Colibri brings on-the-ground dialogue and inclusion know-how from Colombia's La Guajira; GIZ acts as a neutral broker and draws on governance insights from global initiatives, including adjacent sectors such as mining. Two Latin American project types will serve as pilots In Uruguay, the advanced e-methanol project Tambor will be used to systematically capture local perceptions in cooperation with neutral actors such as universities, translating findings into communication and participation measures. GIZ will support collaboration with local universities and help design engagement activities. In Colombia, the ammonia project "Waawaata" in La Guajira - one of Colombia's most promising regions for export-oriented hydrogen, with exceptional wind and solar resources - will focus on co-developing participation mechanisms with indigenous communities. The project partners will conduct a structured needs assessment of indigenous groups and, in parallel, commission supporting analyses on infrastructure, transport corridors and renewable power supply for site selection. GIZ and Colibri will facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building locally and contribute to site-selection analyses. About H2Uppp The International Hydrogen Ramp-up Programme (H2Uppp) is supporting entrepreneurial engagement in the ramping-up of hydrogen in the Global South and is a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and is implemented by GIZ.

ENERTRAG begins construction of hydrogen production facility in Wensickendorf, Germany. As Germany seeks to remain the top hydrogen-producing country in Europe, there are greater incentives in place for developers to pursue energy initiatives that will strengthen the nation's overall position. Additionally, there are newer entities that are emerging at this moment with the aim of positioning themselves for the inevitable increase in hydrogen demand worldwide, which in turn will allow them to generate profit. The nation once again displayed its full commitment as news broke that ENERTRAG has started construction of a hydrogen production facility in Wensickendorf, Germany. Germany is fully committed to elevating its total installed hydrogen capacity. The German government deserves a tremendous amount of credit for creating an environment where developers want to pursue major facilities that will, in turn, increase the nation's installed capacity. ENERTRAG is a prominent German-based independent power producer and renewable energy developer specializing in wind, solar, and green hydrogen projects. The company was founded in the 1900s but continues to remain relevant to this day, which is a testament to its ability to adapt to the ever-changing energy landscape. In its current objectives, the company depends on integrated power plants as it connects wind and solar farms directly to storage solutions. Now, ENERTRAG announced that it has officially begun construction of a green hydrogen production facility in Wensickendorf, marking a major step in the country's clean energy transition. The project is located in Brandenburg's Oberhavel district and is specifically built to support sustainable mobility and regional energy independence. Gaining a deeper insight into ENERTRAG's hydrogen production facility in Wensickendorf, Germany. The upcoming initiative is part of a broader push to decarbonize transportation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels across the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region. Commissioning is expected by the end of 2026, and the development is a representation of Europe's growing hydrogen economy. For Germany, the Wensickendorf facility is a significant milestone in the nation's overall strategy to scale up green hydrogen production. Construction officially commenced after a captivating ceremony that united stakeholders from government, industry, and academia. The plant will use renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar, to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. With a planned capacity of 4 MW, it is projected to generate up to 380 tons of green hydrogen per year when operational. The model, which prioritizes local production, is instrumental to Germany's energy transition, as it allows hydrogen to be produced close to where it will be used. The project is also consistent with national and regional climate objectives, reiterating hydrogen's role as a key energy source for the global transition. Reviewing the impacts of the initiative on ENERTRAG's overall portfolio. Although the main objective of an energy initiative is to generate electricity for the population, it is always interesting to fathom how it can also impact the company itself. Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz stated the following: "The energy transition is entering a new phase: wind and solar power are the cheapest forms of electricity generation worldwide and are becoming the new primary energy source for our energy system." Since hydrogen is capable of complementing other energy sources like wind and solar, the company sees a brilliant opportunity to find effective combinations within the clean energy sources. Looking ahead: Europe maintains unity in hydrogen development. An integral target of the project is to support climate-neutral transportation, such as rail mobility. About 230 tons of the hydrogen produced per year will be dedicated toward powering the Heidekrautbahn railway line connecting Barnim and Berlin. The facility is part of the Heidekrautbahn hydrogen rail initiative. This is a collaborative effort consisting of multiple partners, including Niederbarnimer Eisenbahn, Kreiswerke Barnim, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, and the German Aerospace Center. ENERTRAG's advancement of projects like Wensickendorf enables it to slowly position itself as a leader in the green hydrogen sector. For Germany, this is yet another statement of intent to remain a pioneer in the sector.

Namibia eyes industrial shift in green hydrogen drive - new era. Namibia's plans to build a green hydrogen industry are gaining momentum, with new partnerships aimed at turning strategy into jobs and business opportunities. Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, Enertrag and GIZ to support Namibian suppliers in the green hydrogen value chain through the Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme held a signing ceremony yesterday in Windhoek. The partnership aims to strengthen Namibian suppliers' capacity and participation in the green hydrogen value chain. Hyphen Hydrogen Energy CEO Marco Raffinetti pointed to South Africa's large industrial hubs as examples of what can be achieved. He said projects like Secunda show the scale of operations possible, but stressed that the real prize lies in the network of suppliers and support industries behind them. "That ecosystem is often bigger than the project itself," he said. He added that Namibia has an opportunity to develop new industries alongside hydrogen production. He welcomed international backing, including support linked to Germany, as key to moving forward. Country director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Tobias Gerster said Germany has been involved in Namibia's development for decades. He said cooperation has covered sectors such as agriculture, education and energy, and is now increasingly focused on climate and the green transition. He said the relationship is evolving into one based on shared economic interests. "At talks held in Lüderitz in November 2025, more than €40 million (approximately N$770 million) was committed to projects in Namibia. The European Union remains the country's largest trading partner, with Namibia exporting a range of goods into its markets," he said. Gerster said programmes linked to hydrogen are meant to help projects move from early planning stages to implementation, while creating space for local businesses to take part. He said partnerships between the public and private sectors are key, especially in building local supply chains and increasing the share of processed exports. "It must translate into real benefits for ordinary people," he said. National Planning Commission's executive director I-Ben Natangwe said, from a national planning perspective, green hydrogen is seen as central to economic change. He said the sector spans energy, water, infrastructure and skills development, and requires close coordination. He stated that the goal is not only to export hydrogen, but to build industries at home, create jobs and broaden the economy. "The Hyphen project is expected to play a leading role by creating opportunities for Namibian businesses. A key focus is helping local companies meet industry standards so they can compete for contracts," he said. "This approach is important if Namibia wants to add more value to its resources instead of exporting them in raw form," he stated. He said the success of the hydrogen sector will be measured by whether it delivers jobs, growth and real improvements in people's lives. [email protected]