Namibia pioneers green iron project
The pilot phase of the HyIron-Oshivela green iron project, which was launched outside Arandis in the Erongo Region on Monday, will produce 15 000 tonnes of iron and 50 jobs.
This according to Hylron managing director Johannes Michels, who said the project is hailed to be the first zero-emission production facility for iron on the African continent.
Minister in the presidency Christine //Hoebes pointed out that the undertaking has the potential to contribute towards the decarbonisation of the planet, while positioning Namibia at the forefront of the green industrial transition.
Delivering the keynote address, she added that because of this project, Namibia will become the first country in the world to produce green iron, which is iron produced at zero emissions.
“Namibia contributes less than 1% to the global carbon emissions, but being a responsible global citizen that is cognisant of the universal challenge of climate change, our government has made a deliberate decision to contribute to the global aspirations to transition to clean and green energy,” she said.
“With an abundance of natural resources and an enduring commitment to secure a brighter, safer and more secure future for our children, this was an easy decision for the government to make. This commitment is also in line with our developmental aspirations as outlined in the second Harambee Prosperity Plan, which identified renewable hydrogen as one of the pillars on which our economic growth is anchored.”
Times have changed
Rainer Baake, the special envoy for German-Namibian climate and energy cooperation, said the traditional way to produce steel is harmful to the environment.
Times and prices have changed, he stressed.
According to him, in Namibia, wind turbines generate up to three times as much electricity because of the ‘fantastic conditions’, compared to what it would generate in Germany.
"I am deeply impressed with the foresight of President Hage Geingob and his government to build a green hydrogen economy in Namibia. The project offers the opportunity to establish a green hydrogen economy, but also to decarbonise downstream value chains.
“For example, the sponge iron produced here can also be used as a preliminary product in steel production in Germany to manufacture green steel for the production of wind turbines or vehicles.
“It is particularly important in a water-scarce country like Namibia that water is recycled in this project," Baake said.
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This according to Hylron managing director Johannes Michels, who said the project is hailed to be the first zero-emission production facility for iron on the African continent.
Minister in the presidency Christine //Hoebes pointed out that the undertaking has the potential to contribute towards the decarbonisation of the planet, while positioning Namibia at the forefront of the green industrial transition.
Delivering the keynote address, she added that because of this project, Namibia will become the first country in the world to produce green iron, which is iron produced at zero emissions.
“Namibia contributes less than 1% to the global carbon emissions, but being a responsible global citizen that is cognisant of the universal challenge of climate change, our government has made a deliberate decision to contribute to the global aspirations to transition to clean and green energy,” she said.
“With an abundance of natural resources and an enduring commitment to secure a brighter, safer and more secure future for our children, this was an easy decision for the government to make. This commitment is also in line with our developmental aspirations as outlined in the second Harambee Prosperity Plan, which identified renewable hydrogen as one of the pillars on which our economic growth is anchored.”
Times have changed
Rainer Baake, the special envoy for German-Namibian climate and energy cooperation, said the traditional way to produce steel is harmful to the environment.
Times and prices have changed, he stressed.
According to him, in Namibia, wind turbines generate up to three times as much electricity because of the ‘fantastic conditions’, compared to what it would generate in Germany.
"I am deeply impressed with the foresight of President Hage Geingob and his government to build a green hydrogen economy in Namibia. The project offers the opportunity to establish a green hydrogen economy, but also to decarbonise downstream value chains.
“For example, the sponge iron produced here can also be used as a preliminary product in steel production in Germany to manufacture green steel for the production of wind turbines or vehicles.
“It is particularly important in a water-scarce country like Namibia that water is recycled in this project," Baake said.
[email protected]
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