Plug Power, a US-based hydrogen solutions company, has brought commercial green hydrogen production to Africa by installing a 5 MW GenEco electrolyser system for Cleanergy Solutions Namibia. The installation at the Hydrogen Dune site in Walvis Bay marks the launch of the continent’s first fully integrated commercial green hydrogen facility, which officially opened in September. The project is designed to support the expansion of hydrogen-powered transport and industrial applications across Namibia and neighbouring markets.

At the core of the facility is Plug Power’s PEM GenEco electrolyser, which operates as part of an off-grid renewable energy system. The Hydrogen Dune site includes a 5 MW solar park covering more than 6.5 hectares and a 5.9 MWh battery energy storage system. Together, these components enable renewable hydrogen production without reliance on the electricity grid, ensuring continuous operation even during periods of variable solar output.

Supporting hydrogen mobility and industrial decarbonisation

The hydrogen produced at the Walvis Bay facility will be used to power hydrogen-fuelled trucks, port and rail equipment, and small vessels operating through the Port of Walvis Bay. It will also supply vehicles that are converted on site for dual-fuel operation using hydrogen alongside conventional fuels. By integrating renewable power generation, hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure at a single location, the project establishes a vertically integrated model that links clean electricity directly to clean fuel use.

According to Plug Power, the project demonstrates how green hydrogen is transitioning from concept to commercial deployment. By supplying electrolyser technology to emerging hydrogen markets such as Namibia, the company aims to help partners develop scalable and reliable hydrogen infrastructure that can decarbonise transportation and industrial activity while supporting long-term economic development.

The Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project reflects growing global interest in hydrogen, particularly in regions with strong renewable energy potential. Africa, along with the Middle East and Australia, is increasingly viewed as a next-generation hydrogen hub due to favourable natural resources and supportive policy frameworks.

Source: 

https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/hydrogen/plug-power-powers-africas-first-integrated-green-hydrogen-facility-28648