Cleanergy's State-of-the-Art Hydrogen Plant at Farm 58 in Walvis Bay
Key Ideas
- Cleanergy's hydrogen plant in Walvis Bay marks significant progress in Namibia's green hydrogen economy initiative announced by the late president, Hage Geingob in 2021.
- The plant, powered by a 5MW PV solar plant, produces 600kg of green hydrogen a day with potential to increase capacity, aiming to reduce diesel consumption and emissions by modifying trucks.
- Concerns about water usage in the water-scarce region are addressed by recycling water not used in production to maintain the plant and establish surrounding gardens, aiming for sustainable practices.
- The project focuses on not only local skill development but also on future-proofing operations, including the development of maritime applications like ammonia-fuelled ship engines for low-carbon vessels.
Cleanergy's state-of-the-art green hydrogen plant at Farm 58 outside Walvis Bay in Namibia is a significant development towards the country's green hydrogen economy initiative. The plant, a Belgian-Namibian joint venture between CMB.TECH and Ohlthaver & List, is strategically located at the intersection of Namibia's Green Hydrogen Corridors, attracting foreign-registered fuel-tanker trucks passing through the area. The plant, powered by a 5MW PV solar system, has the capacity to produce 600kg of green hydrogen per day with room for expansion. Local skills development, including training from the Namibia Institute for Mining Technology, focuses on modifying trucks to hybrid diesel-hydrogen units to reduce emissions. Concerns about water usage are addressed through recycling practices. The project aims to research and develop innovative solutions while 'future-proofing' operations by exploring maritime applications like ammonia-fuelled ship engines. Despite some concerns about the economic viability of hydrogen fuel, the project demonstrates a positive step towards sustainable and innovative practices in the region.