Namibia will invite tenders for solar PV and storage projects next year as part of its 2025–2030 renewable energy program. The nation aims to build significant solar PV and storage capacity to enhance its energy infrastructure and reduce reliance on imports.
Renewable Energy for Self-Sufficiency in Namibia
Namibia is taking decisive steps to bolster its energy independence, with plans to issue significant tenders for solar photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage projects in 2025. This initiative, a cornerstone of its 2025–2030 renewable energy program, is being spearheaded by the national power utility, NamPower.
Instead of a single project, NamPower has launched a more ambitious tender process for six utility-scale solar PV projects, each with a capacity of 20 MW, seeking independent power producers (IPPs) to drive this expansion. Concurrently, the utility is procuring a 45 MW / 90 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). Known as the Lithops BESS project, this initiative is backed by the World Bank under its Transmission Expansion and Energy Storage (TEES) program and is crucial for enhancing grid stability and integrating intermittent renewable sources effectively.
This strategic push is designed to tackle Namibia’s heavy reliance on imported electricity, which currently accounts for over 70% of its energy needs, primarily from neighboring South Africa. As stated by Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, Kornelia Shilunga, the government is fully committed to developing alternative, domestic energy sources. Building this new infrastructure involves a complex chain of activities; the entire solar panel manufacturing process must be considered, from sourcing high-quality solar panel raw materials to employing sophisticated solar panel manufacturing machines to produce the required panels.
Namibia’s Renewable Energy Goals
These tenders are a significant stride towards Namibia’s broader energy strategy, which includes developing 220 MW of new solar capacity by 2030. This target is a key component of the country’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, underscoring its commitment to expanding its renewable energy mix and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. You can explore a detailed analysis of the country’s capabilities in the Namibia Solar Panel Manufacturing Report.
The program’s viability is strengthened by support from international financial institutions. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) recently approved a $300 million loan dedicated to Namibia’s renewable energy initiatives. This funding will be instrumental in developing not only solar but also wind projects, while simultaneously upgrading the country’s overall energy infrastructure. These developments are built on the foundational basics of solar panel manufacturing, which are now being applied on a national scale.
Namibia’s Green Hydrogen Ambitions
Beyond solar and storage, Namibia is setting its sights on becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production. The government has forged a strategic partnership with the European Union (EU), which has committed €30 million ($34 million) to support the development of a green hydrogen industry.
Namibia’s ambitious program aims to produce 2 million tons of hydrogen annually by 2030. The strategy leverages the country’s abundant solar and wind resources to power electrolysers that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This green hydrogen can then be exported, creating a significant new revenue stream for the nation. The government has formalized these plans in its Green Hydrogen and Derivatives Strategy, which outlines the roadmap for creating the necessary infrastructure and regulatory framework. Understanding the solar panel manufacturing plant cost breakdown is critical for accurately forecasting the investment required for the massive solar farms needed to power this hydrogen vision.
Namibia’s comprehensive renewable energy program is a landmark move toward achieving energy sovereignty and a sustainable future. The planned 120 MW of solar capacity and the critical 45 MW / 90 MWh storage project will drastically reduce the country’s reliance on imported electricity while powering its ambitions to become a powerhouse in both renewable energy and green hydrogen production.
To learn more about the intricacies of setting up solar production, explore our free e-course on solar panel manufacturing.
