- Namibia’s state owned energy utility, Nampower, has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the construction of two 20MW solar PV plants.
- The contracts are awarded to Access Aussenkehr Solar One Namibia for the 20MW Khan project while Hopsol Africa and Tulive Private Equity will construct the Omburu solar project in the Erongo region.
Speaking at the signing which took place on the 14th December 2020 in Windhoek, NamPower Managing Director Simson Haulofu said the projects were initiated in 2018 when NamPower crafted its new corporate strategy and business plan for the period 2019 to 2023. Read more
Related news: Namibia announces Omburu Solar PV tender – 2019
“In order to fulfil Namibia’s development goals, we need a sufficient supply of electricity as the country continues to import a significant share of its electricity needs from the SADC region. NamPower’s planned generation project portfolio, which includes the two 20 MW solar PV power plants, is aimed at filling that supply gap,” he said.
A power purchase agreement and transmission connection agreement was signed with Access Aussenkehr Solar One Namibia for the development of a 20MW solar PV power plant near the Khan sub-station situated approximately 45 kilometres west of Usakos, while an engineering, procurement construction agreement was signed with Hopsol Africa and Tulive Private Equity joint venture for the construction of a similar plant at the Omburu sub-station near Omaruru.
The projects will contribute greatly towards reducing the overall NamPower tariff to the customer by introducing affordable renewable energy to the Namibian grid, addressing and supporting the renewable energy commitments prescribed in the Renewable Energy Policy and the National Energy Policy, said Haulofu.
Speaking at the same occasion, Access Aussenker Solar One Namibia representative Tironnen Kauluma said the favourable tariff for this project is an indication that with renewable energy, and emerging technology, IPPs are able to generate and deliver affordable electricity.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
