SDG Namibia One Fund, Namibia’s dedicated energy transition and green hydrogen infrastructure fund, has announced the signing of a Development Funding Agreement with clean energy developer Zhero Europe to advance the Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay Project, a large-scale green ammonia facility planned near Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region.
SDG Namibia One Fund, also known as Climate Investor Three Namibia, is managed by Climate Fund Man-agers (CFM) in partnership with Dutch development finance institution Invest International and the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF). Backed by the European Union’s Global Gateway investment strategy and Invest International, the Fund has committed up to USD 5.15 million in development funding to support feasibility and development activities for the project. A final investment decision is targeted for 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2030. Zhero Molecules Walvis Bay is Zhero’s flagship green molecules project and, once operational, is expected to produce up to 500 000 tonnes of green ammonia annually. This output could help avoid approximately 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, contributing significantly to global decarbonisation efforts.
The project is also expected to play a major role in Namibia’s socio-economic development, creating an estimated 6 000 jobs during construction and around 500 permanent positions, while opening opportunities for local suppliers and service providers. The facility will be powered by an integrated renewable energy system, including 3 GW of solar photo-voltaic capacity, 2.2 GWh of battery energy storage, a 1.6 GW electrolyser system and around 110 kilometres of new transmission infrastructure. A desalination plant is planned to support the project’s water requirements. Green ammonia produced at the site is intended for global markets, including fertiliser production, maritime fuels and industrial feedstocks. Darron Johnson, Regional Head of Africa at Climate Fund Managers, said the project aligns strongly with Namibia’s ambition to become a competitive producer of green hydrogen and ammonia.
Zhero’s Chief Operating Officer, Paolo Gallieri, described the funding as pivotal, noting Namibia’s strong natural resources, strategic location and national vision. European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef SÃkela, added that the project demonstrates how Global Gateway cooperation can deliver industrial development, job creation and clean energy supply that supports both Namibia and Europe’s decarbonisation goals.
By Rudi Bowe
Source: Zhero
