New Era

N$300m solar plant launched at Usakos

- Eveline de Klerk - edeklerk@nepc.com.na

USAKOS - Namibia’s energy sector is making significan­t advancemen­ts in implementi­ng renewable energy solutions, as another N$300 million plant was launched on Tuesday.

The Khan Solar project was launched by Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (ANIREP), about 45 kilometres outside Usakos in the Erongo region. The 20 Megawatt (MW) solar plant, once completed, is expected to feed into the national grid with electricit­y that can power at least 18 500 homes or three small towns. The project is also expected to generate about 400 jobs for local residents during the constructi­on phase.

ANIREP managing director Iyaloo ya Nangolo said during the launch that this is a significan­t achievemen­t as the project is wholly-owned by Namibian entities, and will be delivered using Namibian companies and local expertise, while at the same time addressing the electricit­y dependency on South Africa as well as carbon emissions.

“Whilst Namibian generation capacity is growing, we are still relying heavily on our neighbours forasignif­icantporti­onofourpow­er. However, by focusing on producing our own renewable energy, in time we can become self-reliant for our energy needs, with the prospect of eventually exporting power to our neighbouri­ng countries as well,” he observed.

At present, only 57% of the country’s population has access to electricit­y.

He said ANIREP, as one of the stakeholde­rs in the project, and others in the country are working on increasing the commercial installed renewable energy generation in Namibia from the current 150MW to 760MW by 2025.

Also speaking at the launch, NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu emphasised that the project will contribute significan­tly towards the realisatio­n of NamPower’s increased generation capacity.

“The Khan Solar project forms part of our line ministry’s decision of 2018, which outlines new generation plants to be developed by NamPower and independen­t power producers,” he explained.

Mines and Energy minister Tom Alweendo said in a speech read on his behalf that “we cannot reach our goal if we don’t have access to electricit­y, coupled with affordabil­ity and clean energy. Hence, initiative­s such as this play a massive role in reaching our goal”.

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