Namibia urged to capitalise on green hydrogen investments
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning has stressed the need for Namibia to fully leverage its abundant resources in order to benefit from investments in the green hydrogen sector.
Committee chairperson Ipumbu Shiimi made the remarks during a visit to Cleanergy, a key player in the sector that is moving ahead with plans for a green ammonia plant in Arandis. The project, representing a massive N$50 billion investment, aims to establish a large-scale production site that could transform the town and create thousands of jobs.
“We should also prepare ourselves to take advantage because we have the resources, we have the sun, which will not go away, and that sun is producing energy – the very energy that will be used. Therefore, it was important for us to understand what this company is doing,” he said.
Ammonia production
Cleanergy presented Namibia with the opportunity to produce ammonia locally, rather than rely on imports.
“We know that hydrogen is used to produce ammonia, and ammonia is already being imported into this country. It is used by our mining industries, so instead of importing it, let us create the jobs here,” Shiimi said.
He added that a domestic ammonia industry would not only support local industries but also help tackle unemployment. “Let us produce the ammonia here, create jobs, and support our local industries. On top of that, the world also uses ammonia, and if we can produce enough, we can sell it internationally and create even more jobs. It was therefore very important for members of the committee to understand this, because the committee is responsible for industries. These are the industries we are nurturing and shaping for the future,” Shiimi said.
Ambitions
Following the announcement of the N$50 billion dollar investment by Cleanergy Solutions in a large-scale green ammonia production site in Arandis, company’s CEO, Stanley Norris, said during a stakeholder briefing near Walvis Bay last Thursday that the project would transform the town into a heavy industry town.
The project, which will use solar energy as its primary input, is expected to produce 200 000 tonnes of green ammonia in its initial phase. Arandis was chosen because of its high levels of solar radiation throughout the year, making it well-suited for a hybrid application of solar and other energy sources. According to Norris, the town has the potential to generate about 92% of its energy needs.
The Arandis Town Council approved the project in 2024 and is in the process of acquiring 2,400 hectares of land. The project is currently awaiting an Environmental Clearance Certificate, expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with operations expected to start in 2030. The project is set to create 4 000 jobs during construction and 600 permanent positions once operational.
Committee chairperson Ipumbu Shiimi made the remarks during a visit to Cleanergy, a key player in the sector that is moving ahead with plans for a green ammonia plant in Arandis. The project, representing a massive N$50 billion investment, aims to establish a large-scale production site that could transform the town and create thousands of jobs.
“We should also prepare ourselves to take advantage because we have the resources, we have the sun, which will not go away, and that sun is producing energy – the very energy that will be used. Therefore, it was important for us to understand what this company is doing,” he said.
Ammonia production
Cleanergy presented Namibia with the opportunity to produce ammonia locally, rather than rely on imports.
“We know that hydrogen is used to produce ammonia, and ammonia is already being imported into this country. It is used by our mining industries, so instead of importing it, let us create the jobs here,” Shiimi said.
He added that a domestic ammonia industry would not only support local industries but also help tackle unemployment. “Let us produce the ammonia here, create jobs, and support our local industries. On top of that, the world also uses ammonia, and if we can produce enough, we can sell it internationally and create even more jobs. It was therefore very important for members of the committee to understand this, because the committee is responsible for industries. These are the industries we are nurturing and shaping for the future,” Shiimi said.
Ambitions
Following the announcement of the N$50 billion dollar investment by Cleanergy Solutions in a large-scale green ammonia production site in Arandis, company’s CEO, Stanley Norris, said during a stakeholder briefing near Walvis Bay last Thursday that the project would transform the town into a heavy industry town.
The project, which will use solar energy as its primary input, is expected to produce 200 000 tonnes of green ammonia in its initial phase. Arandis was chosen because of its high levels of solar radiation throughout the year, making it well-suited for a hybrid application of solar and other energy sources. According to Norris, the town has the potential to generate about 92% of its energy needs.
The Arandis Town Council approved the project in 2024 and is in the process of acquiring 2,400 hectares of land. The project is currently awaiting an Environmental Clearance Certificate, expected in the second quarter of 2026.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with operations expected to start in 2030. The project is set to create 4 000 jobs during construction and 600 permanent positions once operational.
