Namibia’s state-owned utility, NamPower has announced a landmark partnership with two Chinese companies to develop the country’s largest solar power plant. Valued at N$1.6 billion (US$89 million), the project will significantly bolster Namibia’s renewable energy capacity and reduce its dependence on electricity imports.
The 100 MW Rosh Pinah solar plant, located in southern Namibia, will be designed and constructed over an 18-month period by Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development and China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical. Commercial operations are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
This ambitious project is part of Namibia’s strategy to stimulate economic growth, stabilize potential electricity tariff increases, enhance energy independence, and promote environmental sustainability. Given the nation’s current reliance on electricity imports from neighbouring countries like Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa’s Eskom, the Rosh Pinah plant is a crucial step toward securing a more reliable and sustainable energy future. Notably, Namibia’s power purchase agreement with Eskom is set to expire in 2025, heightening the importance of this new development.
NamPower will finance part of the project from its own resources, while 80% of the N$1.4 billion (US$78.33 million) funding required will be provided by the German development bank KfW.
The move comes amid a broader shift toward renewable energy in Southern Africa. In August 2024, a consortium of Chinese firms, led by China Harbour Engineering Co., signed a deal to construct a 100 MW solar power project in Botswana, a neighbouring country. This plant, expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026 at a cost of US$78.3 million, will be Botswana’s second utility-scale renewable energy facility.
Meanwhile, in Ghana, preparations for the country’s first nuclear power plant are progressing, with contractor selection underway. China National Nuclear Corporation is among the companies bidding for the project, which is set to begin construction by December 2024. South Africa, home to Africa’s only nuclear power station, Koeberg, is also expanding its energy capacity, recently receiving approval to extend the lifespan of one of Koeberg’s units by 20 years, ensuring operation until 2044.
Namibia’s annual electricity demand is projected to reach 600 MW, growing at an annual rate of 5%. However, the country’s current generating capacity stands at only 500 MW. The addition of the Rosh Pinah solar plant’s 100 MW capacity will play a vital role in meeting future demand and reducing Namibia’s reliance on external power sources. This project not only advances the country’s renewable energy ambitions but also strengthens its position as a leader in the region’s green energy transition.
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