Cleanergy Solutions Namibia – a joint venture between the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group and its international Belgium-based partner, CMB.TECH – has been awarded the JCOI / PTX grant which supports the company to set up a Hydrogen pilot plant and refueling station at the coast of Namibia. The award was announced at the Namibia National Green Hydrogen Conference which was held in the capital last week. Cleanergy Solutions Namibia also co-sponsored the conference which attracted a local as well as international audience and speakers.
Eike Krafft, Group Director: Innovations at the O&L Group, advised that 30 million Euros had been awarded to four (4) projects by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the Namibian Government. “One of these four projects include our Cleanergy pilot plant and refueling station. We plan to be up and running at the end of 2023. We are immensely proud of this initiative which is a first in Namibia. With our training centre we want to upskill Namibians to kickstart the hydrogen economy in Walvis Bay.”
Globally green hydrogen has been hailed as a vital carrier of non-fossil energy and worldwide countries are trying to decarbonise their industries and guide economies towards a greener energy future. “We know that Namibia has vast potential to develop a strong green hydrogen industry and become a key player in global energy markets. We have all the ingredients necessary (wind, sun and seawater) to develop a sustainable green hydrogen industrial base to drive socio-economic growth and O&L is pleased to be one of the forerunners in this new industry in our country,” said Krafft.
Roy Campe, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) CMB.TECH: “Walvis Bay will become the first hydrogen port in Africa. To kickstart the hydrogen economy it’s key to produce and deliver green hydrogen at an affordable cost. Thanks to the grants it will become economically advantageous for local Namibians to use these new fuels and get acquainted with the technology.
“For the consumption of the hydrogen we will look to heavy duty equipment within the Walvis Bay area. As CMB.TECH, we have developed vast expertise in hydrogen applications. This expertise enables us to support local partners with the necessary technology.”
