O&L green hydrogen production set to start this month
Final operations for commissioning of plant underway
Test runs for a green hydrogen-powered locomotive are expected early next year.
Ohlthaver & List (O&L) subsidiary Cleanergy Solutions Namibia expects to begin producing green hydrogen at Walvis Bay later this month.
"Production is expected to commence before the end of June 2025," said Abigail Raubenheimer, Cleanergy's spokesperson.
"Final operations for the commissioning of the plant are currently underway," she added.
This publication enquired whether Cleanergy, the joint venture between O&L and Belgium's CMB.TECH, would be able to deliver green hydrogen on time for the upcoming local testing phase of the LocoONE dual-fuel locomotive.
LocoONE is currently being developed by CMB.TECH in South Africa, after the project's original partner, TransNamib, withdrew from the HyRail project last year.
"TransNamib withdrew from the hydrogen dual-fuel project to prioritise its own turnaround strategy and the implementation of its integrated strategic business plan," explained Desmond van Jaarsveld, TransNamib's CEO, last month.
Reliable local supply
Raubenheimer has confirmed Cleanergy remains involved in the project.
"Our team in Walvis Bay is currently evaluating various options to support refuelling operations, including the use of a mobile refuelling unit in the harbour area or transporting the hydrogen storage module from the locomotive to the Cleanergy site for refuelling," she explained.
"While CMB.TECH leads the technical development of the locomotive, the partnership with Cleanergy and O&L remains crucial to ensure a reliable local hydrogen supply chain," she added.
CMB.TECH's chief technology officer, Roy Campe, confirmed that work has already begun at Traxtion in South Africa.
"The hydrogen engine is scheduled for factory testing in June in Belgium. Upon successful completion, the engine will be sent to Traxtion for integration into the locomotive," he explained.
"According to the current timeline, the locomotive is expected to be ready for transport to Namibia by the first quarter of 2026, where test runs on rail lines will commence," said Campe.
Significant long-term potential
Van Jaarsveld mentioned that ongoing negotiations aim to finalise details of the test arrangements, the cost of green hydrogen, and the specific route and freight commodity.
"The route between Walvis Bay and Kranzberg is considered a likely choice," said Van Jaarsveld.
The brand-new engine is fuel-efficient and offers excellent performance, even when running solely on diesel, Campe noted.
Fuel costs will thus decrease compared to older models, he explained.
Moreover, when running on hydrogen, greenhouse gas emissions will be significantly reduced.
"While the first locomotive may face challenges in terms of competitive pricing, as it bears the full engineering and development costs and is deployed without the originally allocated subsidies or grants, the long-term potential remains significant," said Campe.
Competitive rates
According to CMB.TECH's chief rail engineer, Konrad Boshoff, the initial test period is expected to last six months.
One main goal of the project is to eventually give new life of up to 25 years to TransNamib's ageing fleet of locomotives with the new engines.
"While TransNamib continues to pursue the acquisition of new locomotives as part of its broader strategy, the current fleet of U20Cs, long considered the workhorses of Namibia's railway system, still has the potential to perform, especially at a more competitive rate," he said.
Meanwhile, TransNamib is attempting to adjust its procurement process for new locomotives after works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi blocked its single-supplier plan to purchase 23 locomotives for N$1.7 billion in early May.
Van Jaarsveld said TransNamib is working with lending institutions and the central procurement board to "revise its procurement strategy," he said.
TransNamib remains committed to modernising its fleet, he added.
– [email protected]
"Production is expected to commence before the end of June 2025," said Abigail Raubenheimer, Cleanergy's spokesperson.
"Final operations for the commissioning of the plant are currently underway," she added.
This publication enquired whether Cleanergy, the joint venture between O&L and Belgium's CMB.TECH, would be able to deliver green hydrogen on time for the upcoming local testing phase of the LocoONE dual-fuel locomotive.
LocoONE is currently being developed by CMB.TECH in South Africa, after the project's original partner, TransNamib, withdrew from the HyRail project last year.
"TransNamib withdrew from the hydrogen dual-fuel project to prioritise its own turnaround strategy and the implementation of its integrated strategic business plan," explained Desmond van Jaarsveld, TransNamib's CEO, last month.
Reliable local supply
Raubenheimer has confirmed Cleanergy remains involved in the project.
"Our team in Walvis Bay is currently evaluating various options to support refuelling operations, including the use of a mobile refuelling unit in the harbour area or transporting the hydrogen storage module from the locomotive to the Cleanergy site for refuelling," she explained.
"While CMB.TECH leads the technical development of the locomotive, the partnership with Cleanergy and O&L remains crucial to ensure a reliable local hydrogen supply chain," she added.
CMB.TECH's chief technology officer, Roy Campe, confirmed that work has already begun at Traxtion in South Africa.
"The hydrogen engine is scheduled for factory testing in June in Belgium. Upon successful completion, the engine will be sent to Traxtion for integration into the locomotive," he explained.
"According to the current timeline, the locomotive is expected to be ready for transport to Namibia by the first quarter of 2026, where test runs on rail lines will commence," said Campe.
Significant long-term potential
Van Jaarsveld mentioned that ongoing negotiations aim to finalise details of the test arrangements, the cost of green hydrogen, and the specific route and freight commodity.
"The route between Walvis Bay and Kranzberg is considered a likely choice," said Van Jaarsveld.
The brand-new engine is fuel-efficient and offers excellent performance, even when running solely on diesel, Campe noted.
Fuel costs will thus decrease compared to older models, he explained.
Moreover, when running on hydrogen, greenhouse gas emissions will be significantly reduced.
"While the first locomotive may face challenges in terms of competitive pricing, as it bears the full engineering and development costs and is deployed without the originally allocated subsidies or grants, the long-term potential remains significant," said Campe.
Competitive rates
According to CMB.TECH's chief rail engineer, Konrad Boshoff, the initial test period is expected to last six months.
One main goal of the project is to eventually give new life of up to 25 years to TransNamib's ageing fleet of locomotives with the new engines.
"While TransNamib continues to pursue the acquisition of new locomotives as part of its broader strategy, the current fleet of U20Cs, long considered the workhorses of Namibia's railway system, still has the potential to perform, especially at a more competitive rate," he said.
Meanwhile, TransNamib is attempting to adjust its procurement process for new locomotives after works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi blocked its single-supplier plan to purchase 23 locomotives for N$1.7 billion in early May.
Van Jaarsveld said TransNamib is working with lending institutions and the central procurement board to "revise its procurement strategy," he said.
TransNamib remains committed to modernising its fleet, he added.
– [email protected]
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