Africa-Press – Namibia.
Cleanergy Solutions is to invest N$50 billion in the construction of a large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Arandis, setting Namibia closer to its renewable energy goals.
The facility, to be developed on 2 400 hectares of land, will host a 900 megawatts solar power and 500 megawatts of electrolysis capacity, producing an estimated 200 000 tonnes of ammonia annually.
The project forms the backbone of the next critical phase in the country’s green hydrogen strategy, alongside expanded operations at the port of Walvis Bay.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder’s conference at Walvis Bay on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele hailed Namibia’s progress in establishing itself as a hydrogen pioneer through its partnership with Belgian firm CMB.TECH.
The collaboration has already yielded results, such as the launch of the Cleanergy Solutions pilot hydrogen project in Walvis Bay focusing on hydrogen production for maritime transport applications.
“This gathering signifies Namibia’s strategic action towards a sustainable future. Our partnership with CMB.TECH has positioned Namibia on the global stage as a beacon of green energy innovation,” the deputy minister said.
She described the shift from a ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’ to a ‘Red Ocean Strategy’ as a transition from visionary conceptualisation to execution and competition.
The pilot site at Walvis Bay referred to as Hydrogen Dune is Namibia’s first complete hydrogen production and refuelling facility, valued at approximately N$600 million, with partial funding from the German Ministry for Education and Research.
Managing Director of Cleanergy Solutions, Eike Krafft said the facility uses solar energy and battery storage to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, and includes storage tanks, a mobile refueller, and Namibia’s first hydrogen academy.
“We are already testing a variety of applications, including hydrogen-powered trucks, generators, tractors, and a soon-to-arrive hydrogen locomotive. We are also developing a multi-purpose port utility vessel and a 55 000-tonne ammonia storage terminal at Walvis Bay,” Krafft added.
Arandis Town Council CEO Stanley Norris outlined the town’s pivotal role in the final phase of the project, adding that council has approved the land and strategic framework for the hydrogen plant and anticipates significant economic and industrial transformation.
“This means a shift from light to heavy industry for Arandis, powered primarily by solar energy. We are finalising contracts in phased developments and have already received N$20 million to service one of our residential extensions to support incoming workers and businesses,” Norris explained.
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