European Union Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson was presented with Namibia’s first green iron during her recent site visit to the HyIron project in the Erongo Region.
The green iron, produced through the Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) process using green hydrogen, is a key innovation aimed at decarbonising the steel industry—one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, responsible for almost 9% of global emissions.
“Namibia has vast wind and solar resources, the right policies, and visionary leaders. The EU is committed to fostering Namibia’s leadership in the global green hydrogen economy,” said Simson.
The HyIron project aims to leverage Namibia’s abundant wind and solar resources to generate the hydrogen necessary for the DRI process.
The project includes a 25-hectare, 25-megawatt solar plant and plans for 13 megawatts of electrolysers, which will play a critical role in producing carbon-free steel.
The visit to HyIron was part of a broader tour of pivotal green hydrogen project sites in the Erongo Region, led by Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe and Commissioner Simson.
The tour included stops at Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, which is developing a hydrogen production hub, and HDF Energy Namibia’s N$4.5 billion Renewable Swakopmund project, which integrates hydrogen production, storage, and distribution to generate clean energy for the country.
“Namibia is transforming its role as a logistics hub, adapting to meet the demands of a decarbonised world and creating a green logistics hub for the future,” said Mnyupe.
This site visit followed the Global African Hydrogen Summit, held in Windhoek, where four new Team Europe initiatives, valued at N$730 million (€36.9 million), were announced to support Namibia’s green hydrogen agenda.
The initiatives, including a N$492 million (€25 million) grant, aimed to develop the entire hydrogen value chain, focusing on production, transport, local industries, job creation, and sustainability.
The visit concluded at Namport, where preparations for a new ammonia bulk terminal are set to begin construction in early 2025.
