Cleanergy Solutions Namibia is preparing to deliver one of the country’s most ambitious green energy investments yet, with N$50 billion earmarked for a large-scale green ammonia production facility.
Announced at a stakeholders’ briefing near Walvis Bay last week, the project aims to produce 200,000 tonnes of green ammonia in its first phase, positioning Namibia as a major player in the global green hydrogen economy.
The company is a joint venture between Namibian conglomerate Olthaver & List (O&L) and Belgian firm CMB.TECH.
It has already established its credentials in Namibia’s green hydrogen sector with Africa’s first public green hydrogen fuelling station, launched in 2024 near Walvis Bay’s Dune 7.
The pilot site features a 5MW electrolyser and a 5MW battery system, demonstrating the country’s potential for renewable energy use in industry.
The facility also hosts a Hydrogen Academy to train Namibians in the technology and build a skilled local workforce.
Speaking at the official launch of the Walvis Bay facility on 28 September 2023, O&L Executive Chairman Sven Thieme highlighted the significance of the investment.
“Cleanergy Solutions Namibia embodies our collective vision of pioneering change. Through this green hydrogen plant, refuelling station and training centre, we will not only demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen production in the country, but also develop the skills and knowledge needed to sustain this new industry.”
CMB.TECH CEO Alexander Saverys also underlined the importance of the partnership and Namibia’s role in global logistics.
At the same event, he remarked: “Cleanergy is a very important investment for the CMB Group. … 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 further explained in May 2024 that the project would strengthen Walvis Bay’s position as a logistics hub:
“This will pave the way for attracting additional logistics flows and investors.”
The planned green ammonia facility represents a major step forward in scale and ambition for Cleanergy.
It will use Namibia’s abundant solar resources to power electrolyser systems that split water into hydrogen and oxygen with zero carbon emissions.
That hydrogen will then be converted into ammonia, a crucial energy carrier that can be shipped globally and used as a low-carbon fuel in shipping and industry.
The project is expected to have a significant economic impact. During the construction phase alone, approximately 4,000 jobs are expected to be created, while around 600 permanent positions will become available once the plant becomes operational by 2030.
These roles will range from engineering and technical maintenance to administration and support services, providing long-term employment opportunities for Namibians.
Dr Eline van der Linden, Executive for Impact, Environment, Social and Governance at the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, praised the planning behind the project during a stakeholders’ briefing in June 2025.
“Arandis Town Council is demonstrating clear foresight in its Strategic Plan, and the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme is supporting these plans by creating functional models for Common User Infrastructure in the Erongo Region,” she said.
Such shared infrastructure is set to include pipelines, storage tanks for water, hydrogen, ammonia, and other derivatives, along with the necessary port, railway, road, and power facilities to efficiently handle and store these materials.
Beyond this large-scale ammonia production facility, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia has also announced a second major project: a green ammonia bunkering terminal planned for Walvis Bay in 2029.
This terminal will allow ships to refuel with green ammonia, supporting the global maritime industry’s shift toward cleaner fuels and reinforcing Namibia’s role as a logistics and energy hub.
These investments reflect Namibia’s broader strategy to harness its vast renewable resources to drive sustainable industrial development, economic diversification, and green job creation.
By focusing on green hydrogen and ammonia production, Namibia aims not only to cut its carbon emissions but to become a critical supplier of clean energy solutions to the world, demonstrating how collaboration between local and international partners can deliver transformative change.
