Staff Reporter
SOLARCENTURY Africa has brought its 19.3 megawatt-peak (MWp) Gerus solar power plant in Namibia into commercial operation, marking a significant boost for the country’s renewable energy sector and its participation in regional electricity trading. The project positions Namibia as an emerging player in market-driven clean energy generation, while contributing to energy security, job creation and emissions reduction.
The Gerus solar PV plant is now selling electricity into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), making it the first merchant solar plant in Namibia to trade power on the regional market. It is only the second purpose-built merchant solar facility in Africa to operate on the SAPP. Developed by Solarcentury Africa in partnership with Sino Energy (Pty) Limited, the project was delivered after a rapid 12-month construction schedule and is wholly owned by Solarcentury Africa.
Photo: Solarcentury Africa
The project represents a milestone for Namibia’s transition towards competitive, market-based electricity generation, reducing reliance on traditional power sources while opening new opportunities for cross-border power trade. Solarcentury Africa said the successful commissioning of Gerus highlights the growing viability of privately developed renewable energy projects in Namibia and the wider Southern African region.
Solarcentury Africa chief executive officer Jason de Carteret said the Gerus plant demonstrates the potential of strong local partnerships and technical expertise to expand access to clean, reliable and affordable energy. He noted that the project supports Namibia’s broader energy and climate goals while strengthening regional integration through the SAPP.
Funding for the Gerus project was provided by BB Energy, the parent company of Solarcentury Africa. The electricity generated at the plant will be traded by Solarcentury Trading, a registered member of the Southern African Power Pool, reflecting the group’s strategy of linking power generation with regional electricity trading.
BB Energy Group chief executive officer Mohamed Bassatne said the Gerus project aligns with the company’s shift towards cleaner energy and market-driven power solutions. He added that electricity trading is expected to play an increasingly important role in the group’s future growth, supporting the transition to renewable energy across Southern Africa.
Beyond power generation, the Gerus solar plant has delivered notable socio-economic benefits for Namibia. Up to 275 jobs were created during construction, with more than 98% of positions filled by Namibians, alongside skills transfer and training. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate about 50.8 gigawatt hours of clean electricity annually, enough to supply more than 14,000 Namibian households. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 17,000 tonnes per year.
Solarcentury Africa acknowledged the role of its Namibian partners, including Alensy Energy Solutions, Sino Energy and Nexus, as well as the support of NamPower, the Electricity Control Board of Namibia and the Southern African Power Pool in delivering the project on schedule.
Looking ahead, Solarcentury Africa plans to develop, own and operate more than 320 MWp of fully merchant solar capacity across the region by 2027. The company said projects such as Gerus demonstrate how international investment and local partnerships can help Namibia address energy constraints while accelerating the shift towards sustainable, market-based power generation.
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