Biggest solar park yet
Chinese companies promise skills transfer, local content
The solar plant will be the state-owned entity's second and the largest to date, with the entire project to cost N$1.6 billion.
The national electricity utility NamPower has signed a N$1.4 billion contract for the construction of a 100-megawatt (MW) solar park.The deal - with a joint venture between China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation and Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development - will involve the engineering, procurement and construction of the massive plant, located 33 kilometres north-west of Rosh Pinah in the //Karas Region.
According to NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu, the solar plant will be the state-owned entity’s second and the largest to date, with the entire project to cost N$1.6 billion. The development is being funded through a concessional loan from the German government through the KfW Development Bank (80%) while NamPower covers the remaining 20% from its balance sheet, he said at the signing ceremony yesterday.
Calling it a significant milestone, the managing director said the project symbolises NamPower’s commit to invest in renewable energy, innovation and a brighter future for all.
“As we embark on this journey towards harnessing the power of the sun, we are not just expanding our infrastructure by building this plant, but laying a foundation for an environmentally conscious future,” he said.
Commitment to quality
United Kingdom-based management, engineering and development consultancy Mott Macdonald has been appointed as the owner’s engineer.
Haulofu further praised the contractors, saying the joint venture partners possess the needed technical solutions and delivery capacities, and share NamPower’s commitment to a high standard of quality. “This project will make a lasting impact on the Namibian energy landscape,” he said.
On behalf of the two Chinese organisations - that are to complete the project within 18 months to commence operations in the second quarter of 2026 - Deng Yan, managing director of China Jiangxi International Namibia, highlighted worldwide and locally completed projects, and the photovoltaic expertise Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development brings to the project.
He said China Jiangxi International has been active in Namibia for more than 20 years, completing 61 diverse projects, while Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development is known for its extensive international experience and exceptional product quality.
“Together, I am confident that our joint efforts will ensure the successful execution of this project, with more job opportunities to make a significant contribution to Namibia’s development,” he said.
Skills transfer
NamPower senior manager for generation projects Ben Mingeli elaborated that at peak installation of some 300 000 individual solar panels covering about 300 hectares, about 800 employees will be on site, with jobs during construction for unskilled and semi-skilled employees to be dominated by Namibians.
Fenfen Ouyang of Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development said skills transfer will be a priority during construction, with 95% of employees being Namibians, and local materials also enjoying priority. Details for the skills transfer will be concluded before the work starts, and even during later maintenance, knowledge will be transferred to local workers, he elaborated.
Meanwhile, Haulofu noted that at least 25% of the contract expenditure will have to be spent on local content, meaning N$350 million will be paid to Namibia suppliers and service providers.
Upon inquiry, Mingeli said it is possible that solar panels might be produced in Namibia one day, but “the biggest consideration is economies of scale and the need for a long project pipeline".
"With green hydrogen development, perhaps there will be sufficient demand for a business case in the future,” he said.