Solar-powered green hydrogen plant to be built in Namibia

Belgian clean technology company CMB.TECH and Namibian conglomerate Ohlthaver & List (O&L) have agreed to develop the first green hydrogen production plant in Namibia.

PHOTO: A model of the Cleanergy Namibia green hydrogen production plant. CMB.TECH

The project, which was announced in February, will be developed through Cleanergy Namibia – a joint venture between both the companies. It will be built in the Erongo region of the Southern African country and is expected to start construction this year and commence production by 2024.

The plant will act as a “demonstration hub for hydrogen applications.” Through the project, the companies aim to use solar energy to produce green hydrogen and offer it as clean fuel to heavy industries including shipping.

Success in this project, which entails investments of $18 million, can facilitate construction of a larger-scale hydrogen and ammonia plant in the second phase. It will also aid in further research in collaboration with the University of Namibia.

CMB.TECH’s chief executive Alexander Saverys believes “Namibia has the potential to produce green molecules (such as hydrogen and ammonia) on a large scale and at low cost” which are “essential part of the energy transition.”

Several countries and companies have been actively pursuing hydrogen projects in a bid to pursue decarbonisation goals.

Among the recent developments, last month, Oman revealed its intentions to produce 1 million mt of green hydrogen through its hydrogen-focused energy company, Hydrogen Oman’s (HYDROM) hydrogen project by 2030. In September, the H2opZee consortium comprising oil and gas firm Neptune Energy and German energy company RWE announced its intentions to develop the H2opZee offshore green hydrogen project in the North Sea by 2030.

By Tuhin Roy

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