- The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) signed an agreement to finance a 5.4 MW solar park at the Rosh Pinah zinc mine owned by Canada’s Trevali.
- With the latest agreement, DBN’s commitment to the field of renewable energy amounts to N$1.038 billion encompassing finance for 87.9 MW from 13 projects.
- Project partners and owners, EPC Otesa Energy Projects will construct the plant while Emesco will carry out development works.
According to the bank, the Rosh Pinah Solar Park (RPSP) will generate 5,4 MW for the operational energy requirements of Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation (RPZC). RPZC is in the process of expanding its operations and will require additional supplies of electricity. The establishment of Rosh Pinah Solar Park is expected to reduce the cost of energy to run the mine, diversify its sources of energy and improve its sustainability.
RPSP is owned and will be managed by two Namibian entities, Otesa Energy Projects, the majority shareholder, and Emesco Energy (Namibia). Otesa Energy Projects will construct the plant and Emesco developed the plant.
In a statement about the solar park, Director and Shareholder, Elmo Kalyamo, said the facility will supply 30% of RPZC’s power requirements over the 15-year duration of the power purchase agreement (PPA). This will reduce RPZC’s emissions of greenhouse gases by 6% annually at a company level. Emissions of CO2 produced by utility supplied power in the //Kharas Region will be reduced by 14,242 tons.
Finance for Rosh Pinah Solar Park is the second renewable energy project financed using the Bank’s Climate Adaptation Facility.
Pressure on the grid is driven by growing demand from industry as well as expansion of the grid to reach previously unconnected households. As a result of demand outstripping installed generation capacity, Namibia is a net importer of electricity from South Africa and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). In December 2021, the country generated 89,054 Megawatt hours (MWh) but had to import 263,899 MWh.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
