November 2, 2024, Namibia – Namibia is advancing its ambitions to become a green hydrogen leader, drawing insights from China's renewable energy initiatives. Officials from the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) recently visited Envision Energy's facilities in Chifeng, China.
The proposed large-scale green ammonia facility near Walvis Bay aims to produce 500,000 tonnes annually by 2029, aligning with Namibia's industrialization and global decarbonization objectives. This facility is part of a broader strategy to establish net-zero industrial parks based on Envision's zero-carbon zones in China, which target a reduction of 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2025.
At a recent forum in London, NGH2P officials discussed sustainable maritime fuels, spotlighting green ammonia as a key solution to meet the International Maritime Organisation's 2023 greenhouse gas reduction goals. Global demand for green ammonia is projected to reach 2.3 million tonnes annually by 2030 and 60 million by 2040.
Strategically located 70 kilometers from Walvis Bay, the facility is expected to enhance Namibia's role in the global green energy supply chain while creating significant local employment opportunities during its construction phase, which begins in late 2025.
A €200-million ammonia storage facility by Belgium's CMB.TECH and the O&L Group is set to commence construction in early 2025, further positioning Walvis Bay as a hub for green shipping.
Namibia's national action plan on maritime decarbonization, in development alongside the NGH2P, will incorporate provisions for green ammonia bunkering and necessary port infrastructure. The country's green hydrogen strategy aims for a production target of 10 to 12 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2050, with Lüderitz and Walvis Bay identified as potential net-zero industrial parks.
Officials emphasize that partnerships with industry leaders like Envision are crucial for establishing Namibia as Africa's leader in the green industrial transition.