NamPower, Namibia’s state-owned power utility, has begun building the 100 MW Sores|Gaib solar power plant, located 33 kilometers from Rosh Pinah in the country’s south. The project costs around $90.3 million, with $73 million financed by German development bank KfW and the rest covered by NamPower.
In 2022, Namibia relied on imports for nearly 78% of its electricity needs, according to the International Energy Agency. Although the country has vast solar potential estimated to be double that of the UK by a World Bank report, local production remains limited, making Namibia one of Africa’s top electricity importers.
The Sores|Gaib plant, meaning “Power of the sun” in a local language, is a major step in NamPower’s push to harness the country’s abundant solar resources. Between 2018 and 2022, solar power output in Namibia more than doubled from 232 GWh to 508 GWh, though imports still dominate.
This solar project supports efforts to stabilize the national grid, which often faces disruptions due to regional supply issues. By expanding local renewable energy production, NamPower aims to boost energy security and reduce reliance on imports.
NamPower sees the Sores|Gaib plant as a pivotal move toward energy independence. The project could reshape the country’s power landscape and unlock broader opportunities for Namibia and its neighbors in the near future.
source: energynews.pro
