The pilot phase of the Daures Green Hydrogen Village is complete, with the first local production of fertiliser expected in late 2026.
The Daures Green Hydrogen Village is located 90 kilometres from Uis, in the Daures Constituency of the Erongo Region.
It is here that an ambitious plan to locally produce synthetic fertiliser takes shape.
The aim is to use green hydrogen, which is produced by using solar energy.
Such hydrogen, also known as clean hydrogen, is used to create ammonia, which is a key component of ammonium sulphate fertiliser.
Compared to the conventional method of producing fertiliser, the village will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the fertiliser production is only expected to start in the second phase of the project in late 2026 or early 2027.
During a media tour at the village, the CEO revealed that phase one of the project is complete.
"We are currently in the stages of installing and commissioning the hydrogen ammonia generating equipment; operations are in full swing on site, and we are also pleased to announce the recent successful endorsement, funding and support that the Daures Green Hydrogen will now be receiving from the United Nations, which has selected this project as one of the five projects globally to receive funding and support from UNIDO for the realisation of the production of ammonium sulphate fertiliser," said Jerome Namaseb, CEO of Daures Green Hydrogen Village.
Between 2026 and 2029, the fertiliser expected to be produced here will be destined for the local and international markets.
Currently, the completed phase one of the project entails the production of 500 tonnes of horticulture produce, which uses fertiliser created through conventional means.
However, once the village completes phase 2 and produces ammonium sulphate fertiliser on site, it will be applied in greenhouses to grow the vegetables.
Jason Angula, the acting agricultural manager at the Daures Green Hydrogen Village explained that "We are located in the Erongo Region, where we have farming that is not a thing, but we are trying to pick up that horticulture farming in the region just to make sure we lessen the import of veggies and then supply the market locally."
The project, located in one of the poorest communities in Namibia, has given a 10% shareholding to the traditional authority and conservancy.
"This has filtered down into operations of this facility, wherein about a third of employment opportunities during construction were reserved for persons from said constituency and community, about 23 SMEs, of which seven came from the constituency and are currently in operation right now. Some of the permanent staff members also come from the said constituency, so we are very proud to be able to incorporate and demonstrate and provide evidence that community-inclusive sustainable development is possible."
Through an agreement between the Namibian and German governments, initial funding of N$230 million was provided to the village.