Construction of Hydrogène de France (HDF) Energy’s innovative renewable energy project in the Erongo region, known as the Renewstable® Swakopmund, is likely to commence next year if all goes according to plan.
The unique power project is being spearheaded by HDF Energy Namibia (PTY) LTD, a subsidiary of French company and global leader in hydrogen infrastructure, HDF Energy.
Project Developer, Iyaloo Akuaake, told Etango that HDF Energy Namibia aims to reach financial close (FC) and final investment decision (FID) by late 2025.
“Construction is expected to take approximately 24 months, with the plant scheduled to begin commercial operations by Q4 2027. These timelines depend on finalising a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by Q1 2025,” she said.
HDF Energy Namibia is in discussion with NamPower, which is the intended off-taker for the electricity generated by the project.
Located on a 400-hectare site in Swakopmund, the project will leverage Namibia’s abundant solar and wind resources to produce clean, reliable energy. It will combine three key technologies: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and green hydrogen production. The green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis using solar power, will be stored and used to generate electricity at night or during periods of low sunlight. This will ensure a stable, 24/7 power supply to the grid, addressing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.
Akuaake said the plant is expected to generate 142 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of green electricity annually, powered by 85 megawatts-peak (MWp) of solar PV capacity and 230 megawatt-hours (MWh) of green hydrogen storage.
“With an investment of N$4.5 billion, including significant foreign direct investment (FDI), the project aligns with Namibia’s Vision 2030 and its Green Hydrogen Strategy (2022). It also supports the country’s goals for energy security, sustainability, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” the HDF official said.
Renewstable® Swakopmund has been under development since 2021 and has achieved significant milestones to date. These include obtaining an Environmental Clearance Certificate, completing preliminary debt-funding arrangements, securing the necessary land, and receiving subsidies. Additionally, the project has garnered strong support from the Namibian government.
It is part of HDF Energy’s global rollout of Renewstable® power plants, with the first of its kind currently under construction in French Guyana and expected to be operational by late 2026.
The Renewstable® Swakopmund project will integrate several advanced technologies to deliver reliable, round-the-clock electricity. It will operate as follows:
- Solar PV panels will generate electricity during the day.
- Excess solar energy will be used to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis, a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.
- The hydrogen will be stored and later converted back into electricity using high-power fuel cells at night.
- Lithium-ion batteries will provide short-term energy storage at night as well.
This combination ensures a stable electricity output: 30 MW during the day and 6 MW at night. The system is designed to be modular, scalable, and capable of supporting grid stability, including grid restoration and balancing services. A compressed flow chart and generation profile is indicated below.
FLOW CHART: Process flow of the Swakopmund Renewstable® Power Plant.
Swakopmund Renewstable® generation profile.
The Renewstable® Swakopmund project is earmarked to offer significant benefits for Namibia’s energy sector, economy, and environment. Here are some of the key benefits envisaged:
- Provision of a clean, sustainable energy solution, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
- Expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs (direct, indirect, and induced), including 45 permanent positions and 300 contracted or temporary roles.
- Active involvement of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in providing goods and services. For example, HDF has already supported a youth-founded company by providing training, technical equipment, and office space to prepare them for the green hydrogen industry.
- Addressing Namibia’s skills gap by fostering expertise in renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies.
