Harnessing the power of the Atlantic

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the ‘/Hao’ WaveRoller pilot project in Namibia was opened for public comments in February.

“We are happy to announce that the environmental impact assessment report for our '/Hao' WaveRoller pilot project in Namibia is now available for public comments and scrutiny. This represents a crucial step forward in our journey towards sustainable energy innovation and environmental stewardship,” Kaoko Green Energy Solutions, a Namibian renewable energy generation development company, said at the time.

“Your input and engagement are instrumental in shaping the future of our project and ensuring that it aligns with the needs and aspirations of our community. We encourage you to review the EIA report and share your thoughts,” the company added.

Kaoko Green Energy Solutions and its partner, AW-Energy, enlisted the services of Ink Enviro Consultants to conduct a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the WaveRoller wave energy pilot project in November last year.

The environmental consultants can be reached at [email protected].

WaveRoller technology harnesses the power of ocean waves to produce clean and renewable electricity, offering a promising solution to local energy needs while mitigating environmental impact.



Power of the ocean

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

AW-Energy is a pioneer in the green economy and a global leader in wave energy technology.

Its flagship product, WaveRoller, is a submerged wave energy converter based on a hinged panel that is attached to the seabed in the near-shore area.

It generates electricity from the surge phenomenon in the movement of the waves and is connected to the electric grid onshore.

The company operates on multiple continents, partnering with strong industrial partners.

Strategically positioned between Swakopmund and Henties Bay, the pilot project is deploying five WaveRoller-X devices to harness the power of ocean waves, generating approximately 200 MWh of clean and affordable energy annually.

The clean energy will directly benefit coastal communities in the Erongo Region, contributing to regional development and economic growth, the development partners explained.



Renewable energy landscape

According to a press release, the project, which aims to diversify Namibia’s energy sector, will be operated in three phases. Phase 1 will include site design that covers the creation and deployment of a wave farm on the coast of Swakopmund, Namibia, to deliver renewable power to support in-land resettlement and development.

Phase 2 will assess the capacity for wave farms in several other locations in Namibia. The final phase will expand the developed wave energy plants to deliver power to the country’s power grid. It will also seek to provide energy for desalination and green hydrogen projects.

Concurrently, an environmental impact assessment is underway for the subdivision of a 20-hectare plot located within a kilometre of the shoreline, where the WaveRoller units will be installed.

Kaoko Green Energy Solutions envisions wave energy as a prominent pillar of Namibia’s renewable energy landscape, paving the way for the establishment of numerous green hydrogen production plants. The company is also at the forefront of the Purros Hydrogen Hub (PHH) project, a €9 million (N$180 million) initiative that intends to transform 970 hectares of land into a hub for green hydrogen production.