The Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, a joint venture between the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group and CMB.TECH is developing a green hydrogen production plant in the Erongo region. The Hydrogen Dune comprises hydrogen production, a refuelling station and the hydrogen academy.
Katrien Hennin of CMB.TECH gives an update in response to questions by Observer Money.
Observer Money (OM): Will the hydrogen refuelling that is expected to be operational be reserved for trucks under Cleanergy Solutions Namibia or are they for the whole Namibian market?
Katrien Hennin (KH): The green hydrogen refuelling station expected to be operational mid 2025 will not be reserved exclusively for trucks under Cleanergy Solutions Namibia. It will be a public green hydrogen refuelling station at Hydrogen Dune in Walvis Bay, making the green hydrogen available to the entire Namibian market. The hydrogen can also be transported to any placein Namibia via a mobile refueller.
OM: How do you expect to make this project commercially viable since hydrogen is a new thing in Namibia?
KH: Today we want to bring the technology into the country and show that the molecule can be produced in Namibia. This experience is key before scaling up. Besides trucks, we are also looking into ships, port equipment, gensets and locomotives that will be powered by hydrogen.
OM: What is the current state of the Cleanergy Green Hydrogen plant at Walvis Bay, when do you expect it to be fully completed?
KH: The Cleanergy Green Hydrogen plant or Hydrogen Dune at Walvis Bay is currently in the installation and commissioning phase. The stacks of the electrolyser have now been delivered. Over the next few months, the installation is being finalised, and depending on the delivery of the last parts, the plant is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025.
OM: Do you also plan to start selling dual-fuel trucks in Namibia?
KH: Yes, dual-fuel trucks will be one of the targeted customers. With the support of the local MAN dealer a pilot project involving three dual-fuel trucks will be carried out. Upon successful completion, the trucks will be introduced to the Namibian market. The company is currently in close contact with the authorities for final approval of the dual fuel hydrogen technology.
OM: May you give us more information on how the project will deliver on port equipment, railway applications and small ships?
KH: The green hydrogen produced in Walvis Bay can be transported to any location in Namibia.
For fuelling applications such as trucks, ships and locomotives with hydrogen, we will use a 500bar mobile refueller which is already in operation at the site. Besides the mobile refueller, we will also use swappable containers which are fully packed with hydrogen bottles. This solution will be the preferred option for locomotives and gensets. Both the mobile refueller and the swappable hydrogen containers will be filled with green hydrogen at the two filling docks installed at Hydrogen Dune.
OM: What are the project plans for the port of Walvis Bay?
KH: In the North Port of Walvis Bay, we plan to install an ammonia storage tank along with a bunkering facility, which can be integrated into the existing fuel jetty. This development will support the future export of locally produced green ammonia and has the potential to transform Walvis Bay into a green logistics hub connecting green ships, hydrogen, powered trucks, and locomotives.
OM: Cleanergy also said together with CMB.TECH, Port of Antwerp Bruges and Namport, it plans to launch the first hydrogen-powered ship in Africa. When will this happen and how much will it cost and how will the money be raised?
KH: The first hydrogen-powered ship in Africa, a Multi-Purpose Harbour Utility Vessel (MHUV), is currently in the final stages of the technical design. Steel cutting has taken place and the construction already has begun in the Netherlands. The first sea trials on hydrogen are expected by the end of the year. Following a brief trial period beginning of next year in order to fine-tune the technology, the vessel will be prepared for transport to Namibia, where it will be made available for use by Namport. The financing for the project will come from various sources, including own equity, bank financing, and other financial support schemes.
