WaveRoller set to harness wave energy offshore Namibia

May 4, 2023, by Amir Garanovic

AW-Energy, a Finnish near-shore wave energy technology developer, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kaoko Green Energy Solutions for the deployment of WaveRoller wave energy farms offshore Namibia.

The signing of the MoU (Courtesy of AW-Energy)

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is devoted to the development of renewable energy and aims to produce green hydrogen from renewable energy sources including wave energy.

The initiative supports mutual intention to cooperate and explore knowledge sharing opportunities for the development of clean and sustainable ocean energy resource, and the assessment phase of wave farm developments in Namibia.

The deal, to be delivered in phases, starts with Phase 1 that will include a detailed site design and cover the fabrication and deployment of a WaveRoller wave farm on the coast of Swakopmund in Namibia, to deliver renewable power and support in-land resettlement and development.

Phase 2 will assess the capacity for wave farms in several locations in Namibia, while the final phase will expand wave energy plants to deliver power to the grid and help in new ways to provide energy for desalination and green hydrogen projects.

Christopher Ridgewell, CEO of AW-Energy, said: “With an energetic and consistent wave resource Namibia is very well positioned to utilize the benefits of wave energy to enable sustainable industries and jobs.

“The partnership with Kaoko is exciting. We’re enjoying working with Kaoko’s innovative team to support Namibia’s sustainability goals and it is an initiative that provides an excellent environment for deploying WaveRoller technology into Namibia’s energy mix.

“We are looking forward to taking the next steps together and to demonstrate WaveRoller’s value in desalination and green hydrogen production.”

Sacky Nalusha, director for Kaoko Green Energy Solutions, added: “It is an open secret that the energy sector in the Southern Africa is currently underdeveloped, creating opportunities for innovative solutions and partnerships that can grow the sector.

“The current energy shortages in the region have paved ways to explore alternative, untapped and sustainable energy sources. Ocean waves have the potential to provide a sustainable solution to our energy needs and demands.”

Namibia is aiming to become a green hydrogen superpower in the coming decade by positioning itself as a leader in the emerging markets and an international exporter of green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen will be an important source of foreign investment and is important for the country’s energy security and transition. The government plans to use it extensively to decarbonize its own economy.

Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Council launched its green hydrogen strategy at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, which supports the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change, with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050.

The strategy will also allow Namibia to become a net exporter of energy by unlocking its potential to meet global demands of 10 million metric tons by 2030 while playing a pivotal role in energy security for the region.

A critical part of the country’s growth in clean energy is the upskilling of the domestic workforce to maximize local employment.

“This MoU is designed to help facilitate ways in which the WaveRoller wave energy device and its technology can be fabricated, manufactured and deployed using local people to support owner-operators in Namibia.

“Combined with other renewable energy sources such as solar, WaveRoller enables significant cost reductions in green hydrogen production and represents a viable solution in the drive to execute the world’s clean energy hydrogen roadmap,” concluded Ridgewell.