UK-headquartered Solarcentury Africa Limited, in partnership with Sino Energy, achieved financial close on a 20 MW solar PV plant in Namibia. This project marks the first fully merchant Independent Power Producer (IPP) to trade renewable energy on the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The project, valued at $20 million, is entirely owned and funded by Solarcentury Africa and is set for commissioning in Q3 2025. The plant will generate 51 GWh of power annually and offset 86,001 tons of CO2 emissions. Alensy Energy Solutions Pty Limited from Namebia is the EPC contractor for the project, creating over 150 local jobs.The project benefits from Namibia’s supportive regulatory environment, securing necessary licenses and clearances, and is backed by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board.The plant will connect to the NamPower Gerus substation in the Otjozondjupa region. (NIPDB). The plant also has the flexibility to sell energy within Namibia to large industrial consumers under the Modified Single Buyer (MSB) rules. Solarcentury Africa planning to develop additional merchant solar projects in Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia.
Solarcentury reaches financial closure for 20 MW Namibia plant
The solar plant, located between Otjiwarongo and Outjo, is the first of its kind in Namibia, fully merchant and without long-term PPAs. (Image Source: Solarcentury africa)
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The 20 MW solar project actively supports Eramet’s SBTi roadmap and climate goals. (Image Source: SolarPanal/Pixabay)
Sherco Solar is the Upper Midwest’s largest solar project, set to power 150,000 homes when fully operational. (Image Source: Xcel Energy)