By Ebi Kesiena
Namibia has inaugurated Africa’s first fully integrated green hydrogen facility, marking a major step in the continent’s transition towards clean energy and industrial decarbonisation.
Located in Walvis Bay, the facility was developed by Belgium-registered diversified shipping group CMB.TECH and integrates solar power generation, hydrogen production and energy storage within a single off-grid ecosystem.
The plant features a 5MWp solar park, a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser and a battery energy storage system designed to produce renewable hydrogen at industrial scale.
The hydrogen will initially be used to power dual-fuel trucks, generators and Namibia’s first hydrogen-powered freight locomotive, while expansion plans include the development of maritime hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa supplied the integrated electrical, automation and safety systems that support the facility’s operations.
The project also includes a hydrogen academy aimed at training Namibian engineers and technicians and building local expertise in the emerging green hydrogen industry.
Speaking at the unveiling, CMB.TECH Chief Technology Officer, Roy Campe, described the facility as a “living lab” for Africa’s hydrogen economy, saying it provides a platform for collaborative energy transformation and industrial decarbonisation.
The company plans to expand the facility’s capacity from its current 5MW to 250MW and eventually 500MW, with the ambition of positioning Namibia as a major global producer and exporter of green hydrogen and ammonia.
“We want to turn Namibia into a global energy hub and export energy to Europe and the rest of the world. Today we have 7,000 solar panels. In the future, there could be millions,” Campe said.
