• NamPower starts work on 100 MW solar plant near Rosh Pinah.
• Aims to cut 78% power import reliance.
• Project brings 300+ jobs, local contract share.

NamPower officially commenced construction on its largest solar project to date, the 100 MW Sores |Gaib solar plant, on Thursday, June 19. Located 33 km from Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia, this undertaking comes at a total cost of approximately $90.3 million. The German development bank KfW is providing a  loan of about $73 million, with NamPower funding the remainder from its own resources.

Despite Namibia boasting the highest practical solar photovoltaic potential worldwide—roughly double that of the UK, according to the World Bank’s ESMAP “Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country” report from 2020—the nation remains heavily reliant on electricity imports. In 2022, nearly 78% of the electricity consumed in Namibia was imported, as per International Energy Agency data.

Named "Sores |Gaib," meaning “Power of the Sun” in the local language, the plant is a strategic move for Namibia to convert its natural solar advantage into genuine energy independence. While solar electricity production has seen growth, rising from 232 GWh in 2018 to 508 GWh in 2022, it remains marginal compared to the persistent import dependency. This new plant is expected to significantly strengthen Namibia’s national grid and reduce its vulnerability to regional energy uncertainties.

NamPower also anticipates Sores |Gaib will act as a catalyst for local economic growth. The construction phase alone is projected to create over 300 direct jobs, and 25% of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract, valued at $20 million, has been specifically reserved for local businesses. Furthermore, the project includes a comprehensive environmental and social management plan, addressing biodiversity, worker conditions, and community engagement.

Ultimately, the Sores |Gaib project marks a concrete and structured step in Namibia’s energy transition, establishing solar power as the backbone of a national strategy focused on production, resilience, and energy sovereignty.