A CMB.Tech joint venture has started to build Africa’s first green hydrogen refuelling station.
The plant is being constructed at Walvis Bay in Namibia by Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, owned by the Saverys family’s green shipping company and solar power expert Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L).
The idea is to supply fuel for trucks, port equipment and rail using solar power.
CMB.Tech said a hydrogen academy will also be established to train local workers in the technology.
The station should be up and running by mid-2024, with a 10-hectare solar park, a 5 MW proton exchange membrane electrolyser and a 5 MW-hour battery.
CMB.Tech described the set-up as unique.
The companies have been working together on hydrogen plans since 2021, but this is the first Cleanergy project.
CMB.Tech chief executive Alexander Saverys added: “Cleanergy is a very important investment for the CMB Group. It is the first major hydrogen production project in Africa and will prove that green hydrogen can be produced efficiently and cheaply with renewable African sun.”
Green ammonia next
He said his company develops maritime and heavy industrial applications that will run on hydrogen, including ferries, tugs and container vessels.
“We are very proud and grateful that we can develop this project in Namibia with a strong Namibian partner, O&L, to create a true win-win for both our companies and the people of Namibia,” he added.
Cleanergy is also exploring a partnership with Australian green technology, energy and metals group Fortescue in Namibia.
The two sides are focusing on building a green ammonia plant at the same site.
Namibia is viewed as stable, with abundant land and sunshine.
