• Solarcentury Africa’s 19.3-MWp Gerus plant begins commercial operations in Namibia

• First merchant solar project selling directly into Southern African Power Pool

• $20 million project powers 14,000 homes, cuts 17,000 tonnes CO₂ annually

British solar developer Solarcentury Africa said on Monday, December 15, that its 19.3-megawatt-peak Gerus solar photovoltaic plant in Namibia has entered commercial operation.

The project is the country’s first merchant solar plant to sell electricity directly into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), the regional power market serving Southern Africa.

Developed in partnership with Sino Energy (Pty) Limited, the Gerus plant was completed after a 12-month construction period. The project involved a $20 million investment and is expected to generate around 50.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is enough to supply power to more than 14,000 Namibian households and will cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 17,000 tonnes a year.

“We are incredibly proud to see Gerus reach commercial operation,” Solarcentury Africa chief executive Jason de Carteret said. “This project demonstrates what is possible through strong local partnerships, technical excellence and a shared commitment to accelerating access to clean, reliable and affordable energy across Southern Africa.”

Gerus is Solarcentury Africa’s second merchant solar project connected to the SAPP. It follows the company’s 25-MWp Mailo solar plant in Zambia, which began commercial operations in July 2025. A 34-MWp expansion of the Zambian site is currently under construction, with commissioning expected in the second quarter of 2026.

Together, these projects reflect a gradual shift toward greater integration of renewable energy within the SAPP, which brings together power systems from 12 Southern African countries.

The regional electricity market has traditionally been dominated by hydroelectric and thermal power generation. It is now beginning, albeit on a limited scale, to accommodate merchant solar projects capable of operating without sovereign guarantees or long-term power purchase agreements.

Abdoullah Diop