Namibia has commenced building its largest solar facility, Sores|Gaib, to reduce its reliance on energy imports by utilising its significant solar capability, which is regarded as one of the highest in the world, according to the World Bank.
NamPower, the state-owned entity in charge of electricity distribution in Namibia, has commenced the construction of the 100 megawatt (MW) Sores|Gaib solar power facility. Situated 33 kilometers from Rosh Pinah in the southern part of the country, the project entails a total expenditure of around $90.3 million, mainly financed through a $73 million loan from the German development bank KfW, with the remaining funds coming from NamPower’s internal resources.
As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, Namibia relied on imports for 77.8% of the electricity consumed within its borders. Although it has significant solar energy potential, as noted in the “Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country” report from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank in 2020, Namibia continues to be one of Africa’s leading net electricity importers. The report specifically points out that the country’s average viable photovoltaic potential is roughly double that of the United Kingdom.
The Sores|Gaib solar power facility, which means “Power of the sun” in a local dialect, is a key element of NamPower’s determined initiatives to harness this plentiful solar energy. The contribution of solar power to Namibia’s electricity generation grew from 232 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2018 to 508 GWh in 2022, although it remains relatively small in comparison to the primary reliance on imported electricity.
The development of the solar power facility is anticipated to generate more than 300 job opportunities. Furthermore, NamPower has announced that 25% of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract, which is worth $20 million, will be dedicated to local resources, showcasing a plan aimed at maximising economic advantages in the project’s area.
Additionally, NamPower has integrated an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) into the Sores|Gaib project. This plan encompasses detailed attention to biodiversity, labor conditions, and meaningful participation of local communities, by international standards in this domain.
The establishment of the plant is also part of a strategy aimed at stabilising the national electricity grid, which often experiences regional fluctuations. It is expected that increasing local generation from domestic renewable sources will play a major role in enhancing the country’s energy security. Consequently, NamPower intends to gradually lessen reliance on external sources through comparable initiatives.
The state-owned company in Namibia views this initiative as an essential move towards greater self-sufficiency in energy generation. Consequently, the Sores|Gaib project has the potential to fundamentally change the electricity supply framework in Namibia, creating new opportunities for both the country and its neighboring nations in the short and medium term.
