DanAon Energy (Pty) Ltd., a Namibian-owned solar energy company, is progressing with plans to develop a 40MW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar plant at Gibeon in the Hardap Region.
The company is currently awaiting approval from the Electricity Control Board of Namibia, and the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) for the project.
According to a report, the proposed establishment and installation of DanAon Energy’s 40MW PV Solar Park on a 40-hectare site at Gibeon in the Hardap Region is set to reduce Namibia’s reliance on traditional energy sources and boost renewable energy output.
“The proposed project will see the installation of approximately 70,000 solar panels, generating 40MW of clean energy. This energy will be injected directly into the national grid to support Namibia’s goal of increasing the share of renewable energy to 70% by 2030,” the report explained.
DanAon plans to jointly operate two solar plants at Gibeon, converting a 40-hectare undeveloped site into a solar power park.
“The project includes the establishment of essential infrastructure, such as PV modules, administration blocks, storage facilities and a transmission line connecting the plant to NamPower,” the report elaborated.
The development process involves several phases, including land acquisition, geotechnical assessments and obtaining the necessary permits.
“Site preparation will include grading, removal of obstructions and the construction of foundations to ensure the area is ready for the installation of the solar panels and related equipment. This will involve the use of heavy machinery to fully prepare the landscape,” the report noted.
This comes as Namibia’s annual electricity consumption exceeds 3,000GWh, while the country’s current generation capacity is around 1,305GWh.
The country relies on imports from South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique to bridge the supply gap.
Thus Namibia has committed itself to increasing the share of renewable energy to about 70% of electricity by 2030, and the company noted that this project aims to boost that mission.
