Plug Power has brought commercial green hydrogen to Africa.
The US-based hydrogen company announced that it has completed installation of a 5-megawatt GenEco electrolyzer for Cleanergy Solutions Namibia at the Port of Walvis Bay, marking the launch of Africa’s first fully integrated commercial green hydrogen facility.
The project, which officially opened in September, positions Namibia at the forefront of the continent’s hydrogen economy and lays the groundwork for expanding hydrogen-powered transportation across the country and into neighboring markets.
At the heart of the Walvis Bay facility is Plug’s PEM GenEco electrolyzer, integrated directly into Cleanergy’s Hydrogen Dune site. The off-grid system combines a 5MW solar park spanning more than 6.5 hectares with a 5.9 MWh battery energy storage system, enabling round-the-clock production of renewable hydrogen.
That hydrogen will fuel trucks, port and rail equipment, and small vessels operating through the Port of Walvis Bay, while also supplying vehicles converted on site for dual-fuel use with hydrogen and conventional fuels.
By linking renewable power generation with on-site hydrogen production and refueling, the project creates a vertically integrated model that connects clean electricity to clean fuel — a blueprint for decarbonizing transportation, maritime operations, and industrial activity.
“Projects like Cleanergy Solutions Namibia demonstrate how green hydrogen is moving from concept to commercial reality,” said Jose Luis Crespo, President and Chief Revenue Officer of Plug.
“By deploying our electrolyzer technology in growing hydrogen markets such as Namibia, we are helping partners build reliable, scalable hydrogen infrastructure that can decarbonize transportation and industrial activity today while supporting long-term economic development.”
The installation comes as global investment in hydrogen accelerates, with Africa, the Middle East, and Australia emerging as next-generation hydrogen hubs backed by abundant renewable resources and supportive policy frameworks.
Plug said the Cleanergy Solutions Namibia project is expected to serve as a replicable model for hydrogen infrastructure development across Africa, cementing Namibia’s role as a regional leader in renewable hydrogen.
