HyIron’s Oshivela plant in Namibia has reportedly produced hydrogen using a 12MW electrolyser unit supplied by China’s Peric Hydrogen Systems.
Powered entirely by solar energy, HyIron’s Oshivela plant is set to begin producing green hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) within the next month, targeting an initial output of 15,000 tonnes per year – with ambitions to scale up to two million tonnes annually by 2030.
“We’re now in the process of gradually ramping up the electrolyser to full capacity, which will soon form the foundation for producing iron with zero emissions,” the company stated.
The plant runs exclusively during daylight hours, backed by a 25MW solar farm and 13.4MW of battery storage.
German metals firm Benteler has already signed a 200,000-tonne-per-year offtake deal, underlining strong demand for the green product. On its website, Benteler said its steel and steel tubes will be green by 2045.
Importing green sponge iron from renewable-rich countries such as Namibia could cut shipping needs by up to 75%, compared to making green DRI in Europe with imported hydrogen and ore, according to SteelWatch.
The steel decarbonisation advocacy group said that producing green iron where renewables and raw materials are abundant is far more efficient, slashing logistics and reportedly cutting costs by up to 30% per tonne.
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