Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) says it is spearheading a N$200-million investment in a 10 megawatts (MW) solar power plant which will generate approximately 26,360MWh of renewable energy per year to supply gold producer, B2Gold.
The project will be implemented under NamPower’s Modified Single Buyer framework which allows Independent Power Producers to sell electricity directly to regional distributors, industrial and mining companies, and municipalities.
“The solar plant is being constructed on Maxwell Farm situated in North Central Namibia and is set to be operational by the end of 2024. The energy will be injected into NamPower’s brand-new Eldorado substation from where it will be allocated under the Modified Single Buyer framework to B2Gold’s Otjikoto Mine, located approximately 300 km north of Windhoek,” a statement by SPS read.
The statement further states that the project will be implemented in collaboration with Fortitude, a firm specialising in property development and project management, and the Oelofse family who are both investors and landowners of Maxwell Farm.
“I want to thank NamPower and the ECB for their investor-friendly approach and for their assistance in making this project a reality,” said CEO of SPS Francois van Themaat.
Sven Patzner of Fortitude said its role in engineering, value engineering, and quality control processes during the construction phase of the power plant further solidifies the partnership’s commitment to the project.
“We are very excited to be involved in the prestigious Maxwell Solar Power Project. Being able to provide solar energy to one of Namibia’s most respected mining operators in B2Gold, together with the Oelofse Family and SPS, is both a remarkable opportunity and an example of what can be achieved through key collaborations and partnerships in the long-term interest of all stakeholders as well as Namibia’s clean energy ambitions moving forward,” he said.
According to the release, further to the first phase 10MW plant, SPS and partners are already looking to expand the project to deliver renewable energy to additional customers in Namibia.
