NamPower Begins Construction of 20 MWp Khan Solar Power Plant in Namibia

Namibia’s state-owned power utility NamPower recently presided over the ground-breaking event for the construction of the Khan Solar PV plant located near Usakos in the Erongo Region. The solar power project is being developed by the independent power producer (IPP) Access Aussenkehr Solar One Namibia.

Access Aussenkehr Solar has given the EPC contract of its solar plant to HopSol. Under the contract, the Windhoek-based company will install 33,000 solar panels, 100 inverters, and other required equipment on the 16-hectare project site. The solar power plant is planned to have 67 single-axis trackers that allow the solar panels to follow the sun’s movement, optimizing its production.

The Khan Solar project supports Namibia’s national policy of sourcing 70% of its total electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The solar project will further contribute towards achieving the goal of self-sufficiency targets of 80% in the near future, assisting the country to reduce electricity imports.

The ground-mounted solar PV plant will have a capacity of 20 MWp. Access Aussenkehr Solar One Namibia will invest nearly N$300 million (~ US$20.6 million), according to NamPower. 

The electricity produced at the Khan Solar plant will be sold to NamPower under a 25-year power purchase agreement. Kahenge Haulofu, NamPower Managing Director, said that Khan Solar PV will offer the lowest tariff in the country at 49.05 cents per kilowatt-hour.