Justicia Shipena
Cleanergy Solutions Namibia will establish an ammonia jetty and storage facility at Walvis Bay before scaling up hydrogen and ammonia production for export to South Africa and the European Union (EU), an investment estimated at €3 billion (approximately N$65 billion).
On Thursday Cleanergy opened the country’s first large-scale solar-powered green hydrogen plant.
The project is a joint venture between Belgium’s CMB.Tech and Namibia’s Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group.
It will begin by producing ammonia for maritime shipping and supplying a hydrogen refuelling station at Walvis Bay.
The station will serve trucks, port equipment, railway applications, and small vessels.
At the same event, German Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Florian Seitz announced an additional €2 million (approximately N$41 million) for the Walvis Bay pilot plant, on top of nearly €15 million already contributed.
“This additional funding will help to demonstrate that the hydrogen produced here can directly support industries and the transport sector, for example, by developing Namibia’s first hydrogen-powered bus,” Seitz said.
He highlighted that the project reflects public and private cooperation.
Seitz stressed the importance of training and research, saying Namibia needs skilled specialists to shape its green future. He also welcomed the government’s continued political support, calling it vital for investors.
The project includes Namibia’s first Hydrogen Academy, established on-site to transfer skills.
The academy will train engineers, technicians, and operators in partnership with local and European universities. CMB.Tech CEO
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare said the project shows how Namibia can use renewable resources for development.
“Cleanergy Solutions Namibia demonstrates how investment in green hydrogen can create jobs, build skills and empower our people while positioning Namibia as a global leader in sustainable energy,” he said.
European commissioner for international partnerships Jozef Síkela called the project the beginning of Namibia’s green hydrogen and ammonia production.
“This project is the beginning of green hydrogen and ammonia production in Namibia. It will strengthen trade and innovation links with Europe and create new jobs under our Global Gateway approach,” he said.
He added that the project will cut carbon emissions and help Namibia pursue green industrialisation.
European Parliament development committee chair Barry Andrews said the project reflects shared goals between Namibia and the EU.
“As the vice chair of the European parliament’s committee on development, it is a pleasure to inaugurate a project which forms a building block of the Namibia-EU cooperation framework and our Team Europe initiative on inclusive green growth,” he said.
Andrews said the initiative focuses on jobs, skills, inclusive growth, and environmental standards. He also stressed that parliamentary oversight is crucial for accountability and transparency.
The project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which mobilises €1.3 billion (about N$25 billion) in loans and grants for Namibia’s green industrialisation and unlocks over €20 billion (N$400 billion) in potential private investments.
