The Namibian government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy is reviewing power generation licences totalling over 688 megawatts (MW), following recommendations from the Electricity Control Board (ECB).
The licences, endorsed by the ECB during its August and November 2024 meetings, include new solar, wind, biomass and gas power projects, as well as amendments to existing licences.
Key projects under review include the 420MW BW Kudu gas project, which has an indicative tariff of N$2.112/kWh and NamPower as the off-taker, and the 50MW TeraWatt solar PV plant at N$1.43/kWh, with Rare Earth Minerals as the off-taker.
The 34 MW Kerbehuk Ridge wind farm, set to supply Namdeb Diamond Corporation at N$1.327/kWh, is also part of the recommendations.
The ECB also approved licence amendments that will increase the Otjikoto Biomass Plant’s capacity to 47MW from 44MW and reduce the Schonau Solar Energy licence’s capacity to 53.87MWp from 124.94 MWp, while also incorporating a 40 MW/80MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
Other amendments include ANIREP’s increase in installed capacity from 5.61MWp to 13.42MWp and approvals for new solar PV plants such as Aussenkehr Plant 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 23.328MWp at N$0.75/kWh, with ECS Mining as the off-taker.
Additional regulatory approvals under review include permission for Oshakati Premier Electric to operate under the NORED licence and Osona Property Development Management Company under the CENORED licence.
The ECB also recommended the amendment of CENORED’s distribution and supply licences to include the Okahandja Municipal area.
Furthermore, the Board approved key tariff adjustments, including a transmission use charge of N$0.10/kWh and a substation charge of N$19.00/kVA/month for power exports.
A 20.7% tariff increase for Haakiesdoorn Estate, effective from December 2024, was also endorsed.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy is expected to make a final determination on these recommendations, which are aimed at strengthening Namibia’s electricity supply and supporting industrial energy demands.
