Walvis Bay green hydrogen production plant to include ammonia bunkering

Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between CMB.TECH and the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, has proudly hosted the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen progress showcase at the plant’s site in Walvis Bay, Namibia, under the guidance of His Majesty, the King of the Belgians and H.E. Dr Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia. 

The milestone marked an important step in positioning Namibia as a frontrunner in the global green hydrogen economy, according to CMB.TECH on Saturday (2 May).

The event was aimed to showcase the progress of the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen site. Expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2024, the hydrogen refuelling station marked an important first step in the commitment to becoming a leader in renewable energy solutions in Namibia.

A highlight of the site visit was the ceremonial first filling of a dual-fuel truck at the hydrogen refuelling station, officiated by His Majesty the King of the Belgians and H.E. Dr Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia. 

The site includes a hydrogen refuelling station and a production plant. The facility uses only solar energy for the on-site production of green hydrogen and will be used for hydrogen-powered trucks, port equipment, railway applications and small ships. 

The hydrogen production plant is the first phase of a five-year plan with several projects at different locations, including ammonia bunkering, pipelines and large-scale hydrogen and ammonia production.

In addition, Cleanergy, together with CMB.TECH, Port of Antwerp Bruges and Namport, will launch the first hydrogen-powered ship in Africa. Building on the successful collaboration between CMB.TECH and Port of Antwerp Bruges, as demonstrated by the launch of the Hydrotug and the world’s first multimodal hydrogen refuelling station in the port of Antwerp, the focus now shifts to the development of a Multifunctional Port Utility Vessel (MPHUV) powered by dual-fuel hydrogen engines. The MPHUV’s versatile design will enable the integration of different equipment needed for a range of port operations, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions during operations.

Given the ability of ports to act as hubs for hydrogen technology implementation and efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the Port of Walvis Bay and Namport emerge as an ideal partner to operate Africa’s first hydrogen vessel. The port’s involvement will provide invaluable insights into the vessel’s specifications during development and refine the concept based on operational experience and feedback from users once it is commissioned.

A key element of the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen site is knowledge exchange, exemplified by the establishment of the Hydrogen Academy on-site. The Cleanergy Solutions team, suppliers, customers, as well as Namibian and European universities and institutes, will jointly upskill Namibians on hydrogen and its diverse economic potentials. The aim is to transform the Hydrogen Academy into a premier hub of hydrogen expertise in Namibia.

Photo credit: CMB.TECH
Published: 7 May 2024