Solar power plants in Namibia
Some of the best irradiation on earth, an import share of more than half of all electricity, and a market model that lets IPPs sell directly to large customers.
Market overview
Namibia combines world-class solar resources with a structural dependency on electricity imports. NamPower aims to generate 80 percent of consumption domestically by 2028, and the Modified Single Buyer model introduced in 2019 lets independent producers contract directly with mines, municipalities and large businesses.
The country is large and sparsely populated, so plants are often far from the load and from skilled labour. This is where our concept of German site management with locally trained crews pays off.
- Regulator
- ECB (Electricity Control Board)
- Grid operator
- NamPower (generation, transmission, single buyer); regional distributors (REDs)
- Import share
- Around 50 to 60 percent of electricity imported, mainly from Eskom, ZESCO and ZPC
- Irradiation
- About 2,200 to 2,500 kWh/m² per year, among the highest worldwide
- Market model
- Modified Single Buyer: IPPs may sell part of their output directly to eligible customers
Market situation
- Solar parks of 5 to 50 MW for IPPs selling to NamPower or directly to large customers
- Mining is the largest industrial consumer and a key off-taker for private solar
- Net metering rules for rooftop systems at distributors and municipalities
- Green hydrogen plans in the south are creating demand for very large solar capacity
Permits and grid connection
- Generation licence from the ECB for plants selling electricity; exemptions for small own-use systems
- Designation as eligible seller and contracting with contestable customers under the MSB rules
- Grid connection agreement with NamPower or the regional distributor, grid impact study
- Environmental clearance certificate from the Environmental Commissioner
What we build here
- Ground-mounted solar parks on desert and rocky ground, with concrete foundations where ramming is not possible
- Hybrid plants for mines and remote industrial sites
- Rooftop systems for commercial buildings and lodges
Frequently asked questions
Can a solar park in Namibia sell directly to a mine?
Yes. Under the Modified Single Buyer model an IPP designated as eligible seller may sell a defined share of its output directly to contestable customers such as mines, with the rest going to NamPower.
Which foundation works in the Namib?
It depends on the site: rammed posts on gravel plains, ground screws on mixed soils, concrete footings on rock or shifting sand. We carry out soil tests before planning and choose accordingly.
Why is solar so attractive in Namibia?
Irradiation is among the highest in the world, so a module produces up to twice as much as in Germany. At the same time the country imports more than half of its electricity, so domestic solar power replaces expensive and uncertain imports.
Regulatory details change. Figures and rules on this page reflect our research as of October 2026 and are verified for every project.
Other markets
Planning a project in Namibia?
Send us the location, the area and the planned capacity. We reply with a first assessment.