Power Grid

Namibia's largest solar power plant project has reached a significant milestone, boosting the country's clean electricity generation capacity and reducing its dependence on imported power. The development marks a crucial step towards enhancing Namibia's energy self-sufficiency.

According to the Washington-based Specialty Energy Platform, Namibia's state-owned electricity provider, NamPower, has secured an agreement with two Chinese companies for the construction of the plant. China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Corp. and Zhejiang CHINT New Energy Development Co. will design and build the Rosh Binah plant, which will have a total capacity of 100 MW.

Despite Namibia's impressive solar potential, with an average of 10 hours of sunlight per day, the country still imports electricity from neighboring nations, and nearly 40% of its population lacks access to power. The Rosh Binah project is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing these issues and supporting Namibia's goal of achieving national electricity self-sufficiency.

The project is financed with a significant loan from the German state development bank (KfW), covering about 80% of the estimated cost, while the remaining funds will come from NamPower’s public budget. With a projected total cost of approximately Namibian $1.6 billion (US$89 million), the plant is expected to be completed in about 18 months and begin commercial operations by the second quarter of 2026.

Namibia aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, further promoting private sector investment in renewable energy.