Namibia is making strides toward sustainable steel production by commencing the construction of Africa's first decarbonized iron plant, which will exclusively rely on green hydrogen for power. The project, known as Oshivela, is situated in western Namibia and has received support from the German federal government, which has injected 13 million euros into the initiative. Oshivela aims to utilize renewable energy sources to produce 15,000 tonnes of iron annually, all while emitting no carbon.
Steelmaking is widely recognized as one of the most polluting industries globally, prompting a significant shift away from coal-fired plants toward the adoption of decarbonized iron production methods. Namibia, in partnership with the European Union, has been at the forefront of this transition, as it strives to supply the EU with green hydrogen and essential minerals for clean energy technologies.
The construction of the Oshivela plant is underway, with plans to commence production in the final quarter of 2024. The long-term vision for the facility is to scale up production to an impressive 1 million metric tons of green iron annually.
The iron produced at the Oshivela plant holds immense potential, serving as a preliminary product for the manufacturing of green steel in Germany. This green steel is pivotal in the production of various eco-friendly technologies, including wind turbines and vehicles, reinforcing the global shift toward cleaner and more sustainable industries.
To realize its goals, the Oshivela project will leverage HyIron technology, which utilizes green hydrogen in the iron ore processing within a rotary kiln.
The development consortium behind this innovative initiative comprises both German and Namibian companies, and it heralds a significant step forward in sustainable steel production that aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation.
