Namibian state utility, NamPower, has taken a major step towards the construction of Namibia’s largest solar power plant, signing a NAD1.3 billion (US$72.8 million) financing deal with the German development bank, KfW. The loan will cover 80% of the costs for the 100MW Rosh Pinah solar PV project, with the remaining 20% funded by NamPower's balance sheet.
Initially announced as a 70MW project, the financing package allows the project to expand to 100MW, reflecting Namibia's commitment to scaling up its renewable energy capacity. The plant will be located near the southern town of Rosh Pinah, an area recognized for its optimal solar generation potential. Importantly, its proximity to the country's primary power grid will eliminate the need for additional investments in transmission infrastructure.
NamPower also announced the appointment of two Chinese companies, China Jiangxi International and Chint New Energy Development, to handle the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) under a NAD1.4 million contract. The construction phase is expected to take approximately 18 months, with the plant’s commercial operations slated to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
Namibia, which currently relies heavily on electricity imports from South Africa and Botswana, expects the Rosh Pinah project to improve energy security and stabilize electricity tariffs in the future.
“The investment will contribute to managing and regulating future increases in electricity tariffs,” said NamPower Managing Director Kahenge Haulofu. “This will not only benefit individual consumers but also contribute to overall economic growth and environmental sustainability.”
Rosh Pinah is the latest in NamPower’s series of renewable energy initiatives, which include the recent completion of a 45.45MW solar project in the Hardap region, marking another significant milestone in Namibia's journey toward a more sustainable energy future.
