Solarcentury Africa’s 19.3 Mwp Gerus Solar Plant Begins Commercial Operation In Namibia

Solarcentury Africa has announced that its 19.3 MWp Gerus solar photovoltaic plant in Namibia has successfully reached commercial operation. This marks an important achievement for the company and highlights the growing role of competitive, market-driven renewable energy in Southern Africa. The project adds new clean power capacity to the regional electricity market and strengthens confidence in merchant solar projects across the region.

The Gerus solar plant is notable because it is only the second purpose-built merchant solar project in Africa to sell electricity on the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The first was Solarcentury Africa’s 25 MWp Mailo solar plant in Zambia, which began commercial operations in July 2025. With Gerus now online, Solarcentury Africa continues to build momentum in developing merchant renewable energy assets that operate without long-term power purchase agreements. The company is also progressing with further expansion, as construction has already started on the 34 MWp Phase 2 expansion at the Mailo project, which is expected to reach commercial operation in the second quarter of 2026.

The Gerus project was developed in partnership with Sino Energy (Pty) Limited and was delivered on a fast-track timeline, reaching completion after a 12-month construction schedule. Following its commissioning, the plant is now selling electricity directly into the SAPP. This makes Gerus the first merchant solar power plant in Namibia to trade power through the regional electricity market, marking a significant step forward for the country’s energy sector and for regional power trading.

By participating in the SAPP, the Gerus plant supports a more flexible and competitive electricity market in Southern Africa. The project demonstrates how renewable energy can play a central role in market-based power generation while helping diversify the electricity supply and improve regional energy security. It also shows that solar projects can be developed and delivered efficiently when supported by strong partnerships and clear commercial strategies.

Commenting on the achievement, Jason de Carteret, Chief Executive Officer of Solarcentury Africa, said the company is proud to see the Gerus plant reach commercial operation. He noted that the project shows what can be achieved through strong local partnerships, technical expertise, and a shared commitment to expanding access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy across Southern Africa. His statement reflects the company’s broader goal of accelerating the region’s transition to renewable energy through innovative project structures.

The Gerus solar plant is wholly owned by Solarcentury Africa. Funding for the project was provided by BB Energy, a leading independent energy trading group and the parent company of Solarcentury Africa. The electricity generated by the plant will be sold by Solarcentury Trading, which is a member of the SAPP. This trading-led approach highlights the group’s strategy of integrating power generation with energy trading, supporting its long-term evolution in the regional power market.

With Gerus now operational, Solarcentury Africa continues to strengthen its position as a leader in merchant renewable energy projects in Southern Africa, while contributing to cleaner power generation and a more competitive electricity market in the region.