'Ammonia transit not without challenges'
The Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P) office has admitted that the transportation of ammonia in Namibia will not come without its difficulties and says the infrastructure is not sufficient to cater to the safe transit of ammonia.The response is contained in a fact file sheet the programme office released, and details various misconceptions around the future envisaged green hydrogen ambitions Namibia is working towards.
“The current provisions may not be adequate to uphold health and safety standards when large scale production, transport and storage of green hydrogen and derivates comes online,” the project office said in the fact sheet.
Legislation
While the Hazardous Substances Ordinance 14 of 1974, the Environmental Management Act of 2007 and the Labour Act of 2007 hold provisions regarding the use, transport and storage of hazardous products, there was still need for relevant legislation to address the issue of transporting ammonia in a safe manner, the programme office said.
The NGH2P is facilitating the development of the policy and legislation to regulate the green hydrogen and derivatives sector.
It however acknowledged that ammonia is used in Namibia-based production processes and is transported on Namibian roads.
Infrastructure
Meanwhile, the NGH2P has highlighted how it intends to develop the infrastructure around Namibia’s green hydrogen agenda.
“Given Namibia’s arid climate, reliable water supply systems, including desalination plants, are critical for green hydrogen production. Plans are underway to develop desalination plants along Namibia’s coastline to provide the necessary water for hydrogen production. These plants are expected to supply both industrial and community water needs, contributing to broader water security goals,” it said.
The NGH2P also highlighted that the plan would include pipelines, storage tanks and export facilities at ports for transporting hydrogen from production sites to both domestic and international markets.
“Namibia is in the early stages of planning and developing its hydrogen storage and distribution networks,” the programme office said.
“Plans are underway to develop desalination plants along Namibia’s coastline to provide the necessary water for hydrogen production. These plants are expected to supply both industrial and community water needs, contributing to broader water security goals,” it added.