Namibia has marked a significant milestone in its journey towards a sustainable energy future with the inauguration of a new 25-megawatt solar plant.
Located 45 kilometers outside Usakos, in the Erongo region, this project signifies a tangible step in the nation’s decarbonization efforts.
The solar plant’s output will feed directly into the national grid, providing enough electricity to power approximately 18,500 homes, or the equivalent of three small towns.
President Mbumba’s address during the launch emphasized the project’s alignment with Namibia’s broader energy strategy. He underscored that this initiative is a “concrete step towards fulfilling the noble goal of decarbonization.”
The plant’s development is in line with Namibia’s pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and its commitment to fostering new economic sectors, particularly those centered around green hydrogen and green industrialization.
A crucial aspect of President Mbumba’s speech was the clarification of Namibia’s approach to its newly discovered oil resources. He stressed that there is no contradiction between developing these resources and pursuing a decarbonization agenda.
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Namibia’s strategy involves a carefully managed energy transition, gradually shifting towards renewable energy while integrating oil as a component of a diversified energy mix.
This approach acknowledges the immediate energy needs of the nation while maintaining a long-term commitment to sustainability.
- Solar Potential:
- Namibia boasts exceptional solar irradiation, with approximately 300 sunny days per year. This makes it ideally suited for solar energy generation.
- Annual solar irradiation reaches values of 2,200 to 2,400 kWh/m².
- This high solar potential allows Namibia to generate significantly more solar energy than many other countries.
- Energy Consumption:
- Namibia has been heavily reliant on energy imports. Therefore projects like this are vital to increase national energy security.
- According to the World Bank, renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) in Namibia was reported at 30 % in 2021. This shows that Namibia has already a good base for renewable energy usage, and is looking to increase that number.
- Economic Impact:
- The development of renewable energy projects creates local value, promotes job creation, and drives economic diversification.
- The mining industry in Namibia is a large consumer of energy, so providing renewable energy to that industry will have a large positive impact.
- National Goals:
- Namibia’s National Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) outlines ambitious goals for increasing renewable energy capacity.
- By 2030, Namibia aims to significantly increase its grid-connected renewable energy capacity.
The success of the Usakos solar plant is a testament to the power of collaboration. President Mbumba acknowledged the contributions of various stakeholders, including:
- The Usakos Town Council and its mayor.
- Domestic and foreign investors.
- NamPower.
- The Ministry of Mines and Energy.
The project’s completion, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the dedication and teamwork of all involved.
The Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, emphasized that the Moses ma solar plant represents a significant milestone in Namibia’s pursuit of a sustainable clean energy future.
He highlighted the crucial role of independent power producers (IPPs) in strengthening Namibia’s energy landscape.
NamPower’s managing director, Yo Yanang, underscored the company’s commitment to supporting government objectives as outlined in national planning policies. He noted the remarkable engineering feat of the project, with its 47,000 bifacial solar panels.
This solar plant is a vital part of Namibia’s strategy to increase local electricity generation capacity and achieve self-sufficiency.
It contributes to national development objectives such as job creation and social upliftment. Namibia is clearly making great strides in the renewable energy sector.
