The government of Namibia has granted an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for a landmark 3 GW solar project that will underpin large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production in the country.
The approval was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) to developer Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay (Pty) Ltd, which has also applied to the Electricity Control Board for a generation licence.
The project, known as the Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay (zMWB) development, will include a 3,500 MWh battery energy storage system and span three designated zones around Walvis Bay, Namibia’s second-largest city. According to the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) published earlier this year, the solar farm will occupy about 5,300 hectares of farmland and deliver renewable energy to support green hydrogen and ammonia production in the Erongo region.
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In addition to the solar and storage facilities, the project will incorporate electrolyzers, desalination, and ammonia synthesis infrastructure, while a third site within Walvis Bay will host ammonia storage and port facilities. The ECC also covers associated works, including substations, access roads, and roughly 110 kilometres of transmission lines to connect the solar farm with the hydrogen and ammonia plants.
The ESMP highlights the strategic location of the solar site in a semi-desert area with high solar irradiation, limited biodiversity, and proximity to Walvis Bay, Namibia’s largest port. It states that the development will contribute to economic growth by generating employment opportunities and advancing socio-economic development.
The plan further recommends that MEFT conduct regular environmental inspections to ensure compliance with the ECC and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures for long-term sustainability.
At 3 GW, the project is set to become Namibia’s largest solar installation. Current figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show that Namibia’s total installed solar capacity stood at just 163 MW at the end of last year, underscoring the project’s transformative scale for the country’s renewable energy sector.
