A Namibian company, ISF Trading Enterprises, has announced plans to build a 300,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD) modular oil refinery at Walvis Bay. The refinery will initially process imported crude oil, with a transition to locally sourced crude oil expected by 2027-2028 as Namibia’s oil production ramps up.
As part of the refinery development, the company also plans to construct a crude and petroleum products tank farm. The facility will feature a 12-day crude storage capacity of 573,000m³ across 12 tanks and a 3-day refined product storage capacity of 145,000m³ across 8 tanks, supporting the refinery’s operations at full capacity.
The refinery forms a critical component of a broader integrated Green Energy Complex planned for Walvis Bay. The complex will also include a 500MW renewable energy power plant and a 4,000m³ per day desalination plant to support the facility’s water needs.
Documents seen by Namibia Mining & Energy reveal that ISF Trading Enterprises has appointed a consultant to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to secure the necessary Environmental Clearance Certificate. These approvals are required for the project to proceed.
The Walvis Bay Town Council has conditionally allocated Portion 46, a 305-hectare parcel of industrial land, for the project. The final transfer of the land, however, hinges on the company obtaining the necessary environmental and statutory approvals.
The proposed 500MW renewable energy power plant will utilize GWE Genset technology, a cutting-edge system powered by Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) supercapacitors. This innovative technology generates electricity without relying on fossil fuels.
“The GWE’s Genset is a technological breakthrough that operates using a bank of Lithium Titanate Oxide supercapacitors to initiate a Geared DC Motor, which drives an Alternator to produce electricity. The geared motor is continuously powered by the bank of LTO supercapacitors,” the company explained.
The project also includes a modular desalination plant capable of producing 4,000m³ of water per day. The plant will treat seawater or brackish water for use onsite, with surplus water feeding into NamWater’s reticulation system.
“Water will be pumped directly by pipeline from the harbor to Portion 46 for desalination to be used onsite, with surpluses feeding into the NamWater system,” the company stated.
The announcement comes as Namibia’s government continues to deliberate on setting up a national oil refinery. The decision will depend on the quality and quantity of discovered fossil fuels, as well as considerations around acquiring a stake in Angola’s Lobito Refinery or constructing its own refinery.
The proposed Walvis Bay refinery and Green Energy Complex signal a significant step in advancing Namibia’s energy infrastructure, aligning with the country’s ambitions to become a key player in the oil and gas industry.
