Cleanergy Solutions Namibia (Cleanergy) is on track to begin local green hydrogen production early next year, following the anticipated arrival of the final piece of equipment by the end of 2024, said a member of the company’s committee, Eike Krafft
Cleanergy is a joint venture between the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group and Belgian shipping company, Compagnie Maritime Belge using its CMB TECH unit.
According to Krafft, after facing delays in the supply of critical components, particularly the electrolysers, the project is now moving forward. The electrolyser, ordered in 2022, is essential for converting renewable energy into hydrogen, and while part of it has arrived, the remainder is expected by year-end.
“We will be producing it from early next year. The last bit of equipment arrives at the end of the year. We have some time in the New Year to commission it, then we can produce local hydrogen,” he said
He further explained that once all equipment is in place, the hydrogen plant will undergo commissioning in early 2025.
In preparation, a mobile refueller is already in operation, enabling the transport of hydrogen to locations that cannot access the production facility directly. Discussions are also underway with Namport and European companies to explore potential uses of hydrogen, including in shipping, aviation and heavy-duty transport.
“We have the ability with our mobile refueller to take hydrogen to the port or to transport it wherever there’s an application which can’t come here,” he said
Krafft also said the investment for the initial phase of the project totalled just under €30 million, approximately N$600 million, with around 30% of the funding sourced from the German government through the ministry for research and integration.
“The investment has been just under €30 million, equivalent to about N$600 million,” he said.
He also explained that the commercial production of hydrogen and the ammonia factory is a significant project, valued at N$190 billion (N$10 billion).
Upon completion, the project will enable Cleanergy to refuel large ships docking at Walvis Bay, a strategic location on the route around southern Africa.
Compagnie Maritime Belge, founded in 1895 and controlled by the Saverys family, will be venturing outside Belgium for the first time with this project.
Their existing facility in Belgium is much smaller compared to the undertaking in Namibia.
This comes as green hydrogen is being touted globally as a vital carrier of non-fossil energy at a time when developed countries are trying to decarbonise their industries and guide economies towards a greener energy future.
