By Ojugbele Omotunde
The first decarbonized iron factory on the continent of Africa is powered exclusively by green hydrogen.
The construction began on Monday, according to Namibia’s investment promotion authority.
Steel production, which is trying to transition from coal-fired facilities to decarbonized iron, is one of the most polluting industries in the world economy.
The German federal government has backed the Oshivela project in western Namibia with a 13 million euro contribution, according to a statement issued by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).
With no carbon emissions, the project will use renewable energy sources to produce 15,000 tons of iron annually.
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Traditionally, hard coal coke—which releases a lot of CO2—is added to blast furnaces to reduce iron.
Approximately one-eighth of global CO2 emissions are attributed to the steel industry, which is a major contributor to climate change. A direct reduction plant uses hydrogen or natural gas as a reducing agent rather than coke.
With the aid of solar and wind energy, Namibia has the perfect circumstances for creating green hydrogen, according to Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck.
The Minister said, “Green hydrogen can be used to produce green iron cost-effectively in the immediate vicinity of the mining sites because Namibia has large iron ore deposits. Green iron is an important preliminary product also for the decarbonization of steel production in Germany.”
Namibia was the first country in Africa to sign an agreement with the European Union (EU) to supply the union with green hydrogen and minerals, which are necessary for sustainable energy technology.
The project is expected to begin producing green iron in 2024’s fourth quarter, with a one million metric tons yearly production capacity as its final target.
The iron produced at the facility may also be used as a precursor product in German steel manufacture to build green steel for the fabrication of wind turbines or automobiles, according to Rainer Baake, Special Envoy for German-Namibian Climate and Energy Cooperation.
