Namibia is set to become a key player in the green hydrogen landscape as Germany’s Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung (BAM) announces plans for a green hydrogen pilot plant and refueling station near Walvis Bay.
This strategic initiative, backed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Education and Research with over €10 million in funding, aims to advance scientific insights into upscaling green hydrogen technologies while prioritizing safety within the hydrogen economy.
The primary goal of the Cleanergy pilot plant is to establish Namibia as a leading producer of green hydrogen. With a mission to drive economic growth, reduce carbon emissions, and spearhead Namibia’s green energy transformation, the project is a collaborative effort involving Cleanergy, Olthaver & List’s solar energy plant, and CMB.TECH’s expertise in hydrogen and ammonia technologies.
Led by BAM’s component safety head, Prof Dr-Ing Thomas Böllinghaus, the joint research program will focus on identifying innovative materials for welded transport lines, piping systems, and storage tanks. This emphasis on materials innovation aims to enhance the safety and sustainability of green hydrogen technologies. The pilot plant, expected to be operational in ten months, will serve as a testing ground for hydrogen production, handling, and associated infrastructure.
The completion of the 5 MW pilot plant marks a significant step toward achieving Namibia’s green energy ambitions. The collaborative effort between BAM, Cleanergy, and the Namibia Green Hydrogen Institute at the University of Namibia (UNam) is designed to facilitate scientific exchange through a group of doctoral students from Namibia. Over the next three years, these students will delve into materials compatibility research, contributing not only to the advancement of hydrogen technologies but also fostering knowledge transfer to Namibian scientific and technical personnel.
