Kaoko Green Energy Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Finnish technology company, AW-Energy, to develop renewable energy from wave energy from the 1,300km long coastline of Namibia.
The duo is in the process of carrying out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the /hao Pilot project to utilise the power of Namibia’s coastal waves to generate electricity using WaveRoller devices.
This comes as Kaoko Green Energy Solutions aims to develop a green hydrogen hub in the Kunene Region, as well as AW-Energy’s newest enhancement of their WaveRoller technology.
According to Christopher Ridgewell, CEO of AW-Energy, Namibia is well positioned to realise the potential of wave energy in green hydrogen production due to its dynamic and consistent wave resource.
“The partnership with Kaoko is exciting. We’re enjoying working with Kaoko’s innovative team to support Namibia’s sustainability goals and it is an initiative that provides an excellent environment for deploying WaveRoller technology into Namibia’s energy mix. We are looking forward to taking the next steps together and demonstrating WaveRoller’s value in green hydrogen production,” he said.
He added that it is an effort that promotes a mutual aim to collaborate and explore knowledge-sharing prospects for the development of clean and sustainable ocean energy resources, as well as the assessment phase of Namibian wave farm operations.
Meanwhile, Sacky Nalusha, a Director for Kaoko Green Energy Solutions, says the development of the energy sector in Southern Africa creates opportunities for innovative solutions and partnerships that can grow the sector.
“The current energy shortages in the region have paved the way to explore alternative, untapped and sustainable energy sources. Waves have the potential to provide a sustainable solution to our energy needs and demands.”
The feasibility and piloting of the /hao pilot project is projected to cost N$20 million, which will cater for the deployment of five WaveRoller-X devices.
“The devices will be deployed in the Namibia water to generate clean and affordable electricity from ocean waves and then deliver 200MWh per year of electricity to communities close to the coast of the Erongo Region in Namibia. WaveRoller-X device is rated at 15kW per unit with an estimated capacity factor of about 35 to 40%,” Kaoko Director Gerson Nasau told The Brief.
Meanwhile, Kaoko’s envisaged green hydrogen derivatives project Purros Hydrogen Hub (PHH) is expected to be developed on 970 hectares of land.
The project feasibility study and piloting of Purros Green Hydrogen are estimated to cost N$180 million and is envisaged to commence in October this year.
The project will run until July 2024, with the ground breaking ceremony of the pilot project to be held in November 2023.
