Namibia to Power New Walvis Bay Oil Refinery with South African Modular Nuclear Reactor
Namibia has chosen cutting-edge South African nuclear technology to power a new oil refinery planned for Walvis Bay, a move that marks a significant step toward energy independence and industrial expansion.
The project is being spearheaded by the Dune 7 Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and enjoys the backing of the Namibian government.
The planned facility will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels per stream day (BPSD) and will be powered by the HTMR-100 (High Temperature Modular Reactor)—a compact nuclear energy system developed by Pretoria-based Stratek Global.
The reactor will supply both thermal heat and electricity, making the refinery one of the first in Africa to be powered by modular nuclear technology.
The Walvis Bay Town Council has conditionally approved the allocation of Portion 46, a 305-hectare industrial site, for the refinery’s construction. The development is still subject to environmental clearance and regulatory approvals.
Stratek Global is implementing the project in partnership with Namibian company ISF Trading. The refinery will form part of a broader Green Energy Complex, which also includes a 4,000-cubic-metre-per-day desalination plant to meet the water requirements of the facility and surrounding developments.
Olivia Vaughan, Director of Commercial Affairs at Stratek Global, emphasized Namibia’s strategic position within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“There is no reason why we cannot collaborate with Namibia to refine and beneficiate their resources to supply a region hungry for development.
With a massive African market presenting itself, we believe that Namibia is well positioned to supply into the SADC region,” she said.
The HTMR-100 reactor offers several advantages over traditional nuclear systems, particularly in cooling efficiency.
Unlike most nuclear power plants that require large bodies of water for cooling, the HTMR-100 is designed for dry, arid environments—making it ideal for locations like Namibia.
“Currently, most nuclear power plants need access to oceans or large lakes for cooling. In contrast, our High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor technology can be deployed almost anywhere,” said Dr. Kelvin Kemm, Chairman of Stratek Global.
“Another benefit is scalability—up to ten small reactors can be installed on one site, with the flexibility to add more as energy demand grows.”
During the construction phase, Stratek Global will manage the provision of interim power and ensure full regulatory compliance with both Namibian and international nuclear safety standards.
Once completed, the nuclear-powered refinery is expected to play a transformative role in Namibia’s energy landscape, reducing dependency on imported fuels while enabling the value-added processing of domestic natural resources.
