By: Solar Quarter

Namibia has achieved a significant breakthrough in its renewable energy strategy with the commissioning of its first merchant solar power facility. The 19.3 MWp Gerus Solar plant, developed by Solarcentury Africa in partnership with Sino Energy, is now fully operational and capable of powering approximately 14,000 households.

The project represents a major shift in Namibia’s power sector, moving away from traditional long-term power purchase agreements to a competitive, market-driven model. As the first solar plant in the country to trade electricity directly into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Gerus Solar enhances energy security not only for Namibia but for the wider region by allowing clean power to be sold based on real-time market demand.

Completed within just 12 months, the plant highlights effective collaboration between international developers and local institutions, including NamPower and the Electricity Control Board. It is also only the second purpose-built merchant solar project in Africa, signaling a broader trend toward more liberalized and open electricity markets on the continent.

Gerus Solar is a key component of Namibia’s ambitious renewable energy push, which aims to increase the share of renewables in the national mix to 70% by 2030. The project aligns with a larger pipeline of solar developments, including the 100 MW Sores Gaib plant, reflecting the country’s commitment to energy independence and stability.

Beyond domestic impact, the project strengthens Namibia’s position in the global clean energy landscape. It supports future green hydrogen production—a sector where Germany has identified Namibia as a strategic partner—and demonstrates a replicable model that could attract further private investment and accelerate Africa’s transition to sustainable energy.