WINDHOEK, Sept 9 (Askume) – Namibia’s state-owned power company NamPower said on Monday it had signed contracts with two Chinese companies to start construction of the country’s largest solar power plant.
The southern African country is a net importer of electricity and relies on neighbouring Zambia and South Africa for power, but the plant will add 100 megawatts to its current total installed capacity of about 500 megawatts.
The plant will help stabilise future electricity price increases, support Namibia’s economic growth and promote environmental sustainability, NamPower managing director Kahenge Houlofu said in the statement.
About 80% of the N$1.4 billion (US$78.33 million) project will be financed by KfW, while NamPower will provide the remainder from its balance sheet.
China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. and Chint New Energy Development (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. will take 18 months to complete the construction of the power plant and plan to start commercial operation in the second quarter of 2026.
(1 USD = 17.8726 Namibian Dollars)
