Helium Energy (Pty) Ltd has secured environmental clearance for its proposed N$333 million Trekkopje Solar PV Project near Arandis in the Erongo Region, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for the planned 20MW renewable energy development.
The Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC), issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s Office of the Environmental Commissioner on 4 August 2026, authorises the construction and operation of the solar photovoltaic plant and is valid until 4 August 2029.
Helium Energy Executive Chairman Lukas Nakatana said the approval marked a key step towards advancing the project to implementation.
The proposed Independent Power Producer (IPP) project will have an installed capacity of 20MW AC and an estimated development cost of N$333 million, equivalent to about US$18.5 million.
The development is planned on approximately 100 hectares near the Trekkopje Substation and is expected to generate about 45 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
Potential off-takers identified by the company include NamPower, regional electricity distributors, mining companies and industrial users, as well as customers through the Southern African Power Pool.
Nakatana said the project’s location was selected partly because of its proximity to existing electricity transmission and transport infrastructure.
“Trekkopje offers excellent solar irradiation levels, proximity to transmission infrastructure and access to established transport corridors, which are important factors for the long-term viability of the project,” he said.
The proposed plant will use utility-scale photovoltaic technology, including Tier-1 monocrystalline solar modules, string or central inverters, a SCADA monitoring system and grid interconnection infrastructure.
The facility is expected to have an operating life of between 25 and 30 years.
Helium Energy said development work completed to date includes site identification, land acquisition arrangements, stakeholder engagement and a preliminary project concept.
The company is currently undertaking grid connection studies, investor engagement and financial structuring as it works towards securing financing and construction partners.
Nakatana said Helium Energy is seeking strategic equity partners, development finance institutions, climate finance funds, engineering and construction partners and infrastructure investors to fund the project’s development and construction.
According to the company’s investment proposal, the project is expected to create about 150 jobs during construction and between 10 and 20 permanent positions once operational.
The company also expects opportunities to be created through local procurement, skills development and training.
Helium Energy estimates that the plant could avoid approximately 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually by generating renewable electricity.
The company said the development forms part of efforts to increase Namibia’s domestic renewable electricity generation capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based power.
