The City of Windhoek (CoW) has agreed to enter into an agreement with the Berlin Energy Agency (BEA) to conduct a feasibility study on the development of a solar photovoltaic mini grid for the Mix informal settlement.
The BEA is a municipal-owned entity of the City of Berlin that offers modern energy solutions and services, with a focus on consulting, contracting, and international knowledge transfer.
The feasibility study will assess the technical and financial viability of a solar mini grid for the Mix settlement. The study will also consider the environmental and social impacts of the project.
The CoW said that extending the electrical infrastructure in the area would require significant capital investment, hence the exploration of the solar option. The Mix settlement is situated on the outskirts of Windhoek and has a population of over 10,000 people.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed in six months. If the study is positive, the CoW and the BEA will work to develop a detailed plan for the solar mini grid.
The CoW has also released a tender for the construction of a 25MW solar plant through a public-private partnership.
Three bidders have been shortlisted to participate in the request for proposal stage. The commencement of work on the solar plant is expected to begin in August 2024, with completion set for April 2026.
The CoW’s efforts to develop solar energy projects are in line with the government’s goal of increasing the use of renewable energy sources. The government has set a target of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
