The German and Namibian corporate partners initiating the HyIron project gave the symbolic go-ahead for the Oshivela project together with representatives of both countries in Arandis in the Erongo region of Namibia. HyIron aims to develop the world’s first industrial production of green steel in a rotary kiln by using green hydrogen.
Rainer Baake, retired state secretary and special representative of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) for German-Namibian climate and energy cooperation as well as Dr Thorsten Hutter, German ambassador to Namibia, represented Germany at this event. With the beginning of the Oshivela project (which means “iron” in Oshiwambo, the local language), Namibia declared its ambition to become an exporter of sustainably produced iron in order to remain competitive, particularly in view of the increasing CO2 and energy prices that pose the challenge of climate-friendly technologies for the steel industry.
In order to produce iron with zero emissions, an innovative technology is being used which was developed by the German companies CO2Grab in Aachen and TS Elino in Düren. Tested in Lingen in the German state of Lower Saxony, this technology will now be used on a larger scale in Namibia. In this process, green hydrogen generated by way of electrolysis reacts with the oxygen contained in iron ore in an gas-tight rotary kiln, creating the so-called direct reduced iron (DRI). In addition to CO2Grab and TS Elino, the company LSF from Bad Lippspringe in North Rhine-Westphalia is a further project partner.
Commissioning of the production facility is planned for 2024 with an initial capacity of five tonnes of iron per hour. The required power will be generated using renewable solar energy with the help of a 20-megawatt photovoltaic power station. Any excess solar power will be fed into the local grid. The DRI manufactured in this manner can be used in foundries, steel mills, for 3D printing, iron-air batteries and many other applications.
In the medium term, the site in Namibia is intended to produce a million tonnes of pig iron per year in order to supply the global steel industry and prevent about 1.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. A further goal is promoting industrialisation in Namibia and the creation of specialised jobs. The BMWK is supporting the Oshivela project with just under 13.8 million euros as part of the funding guideline for international hydrogen projects. This measure is part of the national hydrogen strategy and contributes to achieving the goals of the German Federal government, particularly with a view to the worldwide decarbonisation of the steel industry.
