Namibia’s national power utility, NamPower, is developing a 100 MW solar PV plant as part of efforts to reduce Namibia’s dependence on electricity imports. These imports currently account for about 70% of national demand.
The Sores |Gaib Power Station, located 33 km northwest of Rosh Pinah, will be Namibia’s largest publicly owned solar PV facility to date. Construction is expected to take one year with commercial operation targeted for June 2026.
Designed with future battery energy storage system (BESS) integration in mind, the plant is part of NamPower’s broader strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix and stabilise supply.
The NAD1,6 billion (R1,6 billion) project is funded primarily through a NAD1,3 billion loan from the German Development Bank (KfW) with the balance from NamPower’s own reserves.
KfW, in addition to funding this solar project, is also in partnership with NamPower to develop Namibia’s first utility-scale BESS.
“The BESS is expected to facilitate the increase of renewable energy in Namibia’s energy mix by storing surplus energy for supply to customers at peak times, mitigating power fluctuations from renewable energy generation and expanding Namibia’s participation in electricity trading with Southern African Power Pool member states,” KfW said.
The 58 MW Omburu BESS project is scheduled for construction this year.
