The Namibian government has approved the implementation of the bi-national Baynes Hydropower Project and the expedition of the construction of a road leading to the Baynes site.
According to a recent Cabinet briefing, construction of a road leading to the project site is set to begin in September 2024.
The approval follows after a meeting held in June between Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water Joắo Baptista Borges and Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo revealed that the Baynes Transmission Interconnection feasibility study is at an advanced stage, and is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
“Cabinet approved, in principle, the signing of the Baynes Implementation Agreement and mandate the Minister of Mines and Energy to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Namibian Government, subject to submission of the agreement to Cabinet for endorsement,” the cabinet briefing reads.
It is further reported that the government has also opted for a public funding model for the hydropower project, including the construction of the Baynes Regulating Dam.
The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises will be responsible for mobilising the necessary funds for both the regulating and main dams, as well as securing additional financing for the road construction.
“Cabinet directed the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises to commence with the mobilisation for funding of Namibia’s obligation for the construction of the Baynes regulating dam and Baynes main dam, including sourcing additional funding for the construction of the road access to the Baynes Project site,” the Cabinet briefing shows.
Moreover, the government has approved the establishment of two key structures to oversee the Baynes Hydropower Project.
A Binational Implementation Unit will replace the existing Project Office and work in tandem with the Permanent Joint Technical Commission on the Cunene Basin.
Additionally, a Joint Project Office will be set up in either Windhoek or Luanda to coordinate activities between Namibia and Angola.
The Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station is a planned 600-megawatt hydroelectric power plant located at Namibia’s northwest border with Angola.
The project carries a construction budget of N$22 billion (US$1.2 billion) and is expected to take six years to complete.
Following its implementation, both Angola and Namibia are expected to utilise 300 megawatts each from the power station.
