Zero-in: Electrolysers for hydrogen production

The highly anticipated launch of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program’s (ESMAP) new report, Electrolysers for Hydrogen Production: Technical and Economic Characteristics - the World Bank Group’s first comprehensive global assessment of electrolyser technologies and their role in scaling renewable hydrogen - is set for 25 February 2026.

According to esmap.org, the report was developed under the 10 GW Lighthouse Initiative and is designed as a one-stop, decision-oriented reference for governments, investors and project developers seeking to accelerate large-scale green hydrogen deployment, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies.

Last week, local hydrogen production-to-application leader HyIron, which is already using the emerging technology to produce carbon-emission-free iron from local ore, commented on social media: “We know the potential for green industrialisation is huge; now we must focus on making it bankable. At HyIron, we agree that the technical clarity is there. The challenge now is translating that into the financial frameworks required for global scale. We thank Ignacio Berreta Sartini and the World Bank team for bringing that technical precision into this new ESMAP report. By providing this guide towards bankability, they are addressing the fundamental next step in realising large-scale green industrialisation.”

Context

Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) Manager for External Affairs and Communications, Jona Musheko, supported this view by providing additional context.

According to Musheko, the World Bank is one of the multilateral development banks partnering with the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) in implementing the CIF Industry Decarbonisation Program (CIF IDP). Namibia has been selected to participate and stands to benefit from concessional financing of up to US$250 million to support green industrialisation and industrial decarbonisation initiatives.

In practical terms, the World Bank works alongside CIF and the Namibian government to assess, structure and support eligible projects aligned with the CIF IDP’s objectives. This includes technical guidance, due diligence support and facilitating access to blended finance instruments to crowd in private-sector investment.

Following the call for project proposals, which closed on 1 February 2026, Namibia is consolidating and refining its project pipeline for submission to CIF. A workshop in March will provide clarity on the process, expectations and next steps.

According to Musheko, the World Bank’s involvement strengthens credibility, mobilises international climate finance and supports Namibia’s transition towards a diversified, value-adding and low-carbon industrial base.