HDF Energy, a French independent power producer, has announced the development of a green hydrogen power project in Namibia. The planned project consists of a solar plant and a green hydrogen production facility.
The green hydrogen power station will be developed in the city of Swakopmund in the Erongo region. The French hydrogen specialist is moving forward with its first green hydrogen project in Africa and expects to begin commercial operations of the plant by 2024.
HDF Energy has said that it has obtained new permits for the construction of the green hydrogen project from the Namibian authorities. According to the company, this permit approval is an important step in the authorization process which confirms a favorable environment for the project.
The solar power plant included in the green hydrogen power station will have a capacity of 85 MWp. The solar-powered electricity from the plant will be used to produce hydrogen through the electrolysis units.
HDF Energy will construct a transmission line and a hydrogen refueling station. The green energy project would also have a reverse osmosis desalination plant along with a demineralization plant.
According to Nicolas Lecomte, the company’s Director for Southern Africa, the plant can produce 142 GWh of energy annually, enough to supply power for 142,000 inhabitants. HDF Energy is currently negotiating a power purchase agreement with the national power utility NamPower Corporation to sell the energy produced to the Namibian grid.
HDF will utilize Namibia’s solar potential to participate in carrying out the partnership signed between the country and the European Union that aims to the development of green hydrogen industry. The company plans to invest N$3.1 billion (~US$178.4 million) in this green hydrogen project.
HDF is also joining hands with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, the Namibia-focused green hydrogen project developer, for future developments in the green hydrogen industry in the region. Hyphen, the joint venture between investor Nicholas Holdings and German energy company Enertrag, plans to invest up to US$9.4 billion to develop 5,000 MW of clean energy capacity by 2030.
