Namibia: Work begins on first utility-scale solar plant

Construction is under way on Namibia’s first utility-scale solar power plant. The 4.5MW facility is being developed by independent power producer Omburu Sun Energy Ltd on 16 hectares of land in Omburu, north-west of Windhoek. Germany’s Cronimet Mining Power Solutions is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor. The plant is expected to sell 11,075MWh each year to NamPower for 25 years under a power purchase agreement signed in December 2013. It will connect to the national grid at the Omburu substation, less than 1km from the project site, and is expected to begin commercial operation in February 2015.