Namibia finalises hydrogen train contract
Namibia has, after extensive negotiations, confirmed the contract finalisation of the HyRail project. The project is spearheaded by TransNamib, Hyphen Technical and CMB Tech and includes the University of Namibia (UNAM) as an academic partner.
Director General of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze announced that the project will demonstrate the use case of hydrogen in the rail transportation sector, in the form of a dual-fuel converted train. “The locomotive conversion is anticipated to commence in the latter part of the year, and initial timelines suggest that it will be commissioned before the end of 2025,” said Kandjoze.
The HyRail project will be Africa’s first hydrogen train. Konrad Boshoff, CEO of Hyphen Technical, disclosed that the project has generated significant local and international interest from entrepreneurs.
Boshoff further detailed that the contract encompasses the conversion to hydrogen dual-fuel of two locomotives and a hydrogen fuel tender wagon. It also includes a feasibility study on the locomotive conversion technology in Namibia, research into materials compatibility for specific applications on rail, and an environmental, safety, and performance study on hydrogen dual fuel locomotives operating on various corridors in Namibia.
In addition to in-service operation and maintenance of the locomotives and fuel tender for revenue-earning, reduced carbon rail transport services, Boshoff added that the locomotives will be dynamically tested in trial service in the last quarter of 2025.
HyRail Namibia aims to move commodities such as copper concentrate, cement, manganese, iron ore, and steel, positioning Namibia as both a producer and an industrial transport user of GH2.
The project is seen as a crucial initiative to demonstrate, showcase, and introduce new emissions reduction technology, using GH2 to substitute diesel on rail transport. It holds significant potential to revitalise rail transport, making it financially attractive and a key player in Namibia’s economic and industrial development.
Looking ahead, Boshoff commented that future expansion of HyRail Namibia will enhance the off-take of GH2 along the rail network, enabling cheaper and greener transport of freight and commodities by rail.
It is hoped that funding for HyRail will come through grants, secured loans from partners, and capital from shareholders of the project company. The total cost of the entire project is €9.17 million, encompassing all work packages for the pilot and related research projects.
With commissioning set to begin in July 2025, where the locomotive will operate with GH2 for testing and an in-service trial, the start of revenue operations is planned for November 2025, depending on various dependencies.
HyRail has also confirmed that two U20C locomotives will be converted and operated, one acquired from TransNamib and another from Traxtion Sheltam.
Namibia is increasingly seen as a hub of global interest in the field of clean hydrogen, with projections to start producing its first commercial green hydrogen molecules this year and potential investments exceeding €2 billion to develop green hydrogen projects. The country is expected to export more than 2 million tons of ammonia before the end of this decade, with investors from Belgium, Germany, and the UK expressing strong interest.
