Namibia has embarked on a groundbreaking project with the commencement of construction on Oshivela project Africa’s first decarbonized iron plant, marking a significant step towards environmentally friendly steel production. This plant will rely solely on green hydrogen as its power source, a move that aims to revolutionize the steel industry and reduce its environmental impact.
The steelmaking Industry is notorious for its substantial carbon emissions and environmental footprint, primarily due to its reliance on coal-fired plants. To counteract this, the industry has been actively seeking ways to transition towards decarbonized iron production methods.
The Oshivela project, situated In western Namibia, has received strong support from the German federal government, which has contributed 13 million euros to the endeavor. This ambitious project is expected to harness renewable energy sources to produce 15,000 tonnes of iron annually while completely eliminating carbon emissions from the process, according to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
Namibia made history last year by becoming the first African nation to forge an agreement with the European Union for the supply of green hydrogen and essential minerals required for clean energy technologies. The agreement highlighted Namibia’s commitment to sustainable energy production and its role in the global transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Commencement Date for Production at Oshivela Project Africa’s First Iron Plant in Namibia
The plant Is scheduled to commence production in the final quarter of 2024, with long-term plans to scale up its output to an impressive 1 million metric tons of green iron annually. The iron produced at this facility has the potential to serve as a foundational material for green steel production in Germany, contributing to the manufacturing of wind turbines, vehicles, and other sustainable products, as explained by Rainer Baake, the Special Envoy for German-Namibian Climate and Energy Cooperation.
The development of this groundbreaking project is the result of a collaboration between a consortium of German and Namibian companies. The core technology employed in this plant is the HyIron process, which involves the use of green hydrogen to process iron ore in a rotary kiln. This innovative approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also paves the way for more sustainable and eco-friendly steel production methods.
Namibia’s commitment to decarbonized iron production powered by green hydrogen is a significant stride towards a greener, more sustainable future for the steel industry, and it serves as a beacon of hope for reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes worldwide.
