Cleanergy seeks approval for 100MW upgrade
The Green Hydrogen Demonstration Plant (GHDP), developed by Cleanergy Solutions Namibia (Pty) Ltd, is emerging as one of Namibia’s earliest operational test cases for green hydrogen production. It is currently transitioning from a pilot facility into a proposed industrial-scale operation. Originally designed as a demonstration project, the GHDP was established to test and refine production under Namibian conditions using renewable energy.
The plant currently operates with a 5 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar installation supported by 5.9 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, allowing it to manage solar intermittency and sustain a stable power supply for hydrogen-related processes. Rather than a full-scale export operation, the project acts as a controlled platform to test key components of the hydrogen value chain while building technical experience, environmental compliance systems, and local capacity.
From inception, the GHDP has been developed within Namibia’s environmental regulatory framework. It operates under the Environmental Management Act and was initially guided by a 2022 Environmental Management Plan (EMP). As part of its current transition, this has been updated to a 2026 Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), which will become legally binding upon approval and the renewal of the project’s environmental clearance certificate.
The ESMP sets out detailed requirements for managing environmental and social risks. These include procedures to identify and mitigate impacts, enforce site rules, manage contractors, and ensure the responsible use of natural resources. It also establishes monitoring and auditing systems—including provisions for independent third-party audits—and commits to full site rehabilitation at closure. A compliance audit conducted as part of the renewal process found no instances of environmental non-compliance, indicating that the project has adhered to its regulatory obligations.
Locally, the project has already fostered economic participation. Construction was undertaken by Namibian contractor Hefer Projects Namibia CC, with support from subcontractors such as SCE Consulting Engineers and Rautenbach Enssle Quantity Surveyors. These partnerships highlight the project’s role in developing local expertise in a new industrial sector.
Operational practices reflect a compliance-driven and safety-focused approach. Systems for waste segregation, hazardous material handling, fuel storage, emergency response, and occupational safety have been implemented. Site infrastructure includes controlled waste management systems and incident recording procedures, forming part of a structured environmental regime.
The project is now at a critical inflection point. Cleanergy is seeking approval to expand solar generation from 5 MWp to 100 MWp, while battery storage would rise to 230 MWh. In addition to power expansion, the project proposes installing a 5 MW alkaline electrolyser and a small-scale ammonia plant with a capacity of four tonnes per day. Ammonia is considered a more practical medium for transporting hydrogen to export markets.
The expansion will introduce critical infrastructure, including a flare system, nitrogen generation unit, water treatment plant, and cooling water system. Simultaneously, the ESMP reinforces strict safeguards, emphasising the protection of local flora and fauna and the efficient use of water.
