IPP to develop first PV plant

Omburu Sun Energy, a local Independent Power Producer (IPP) owned by renewable energy development company InnoSun Energy Holdings is set to develop Namibia’s first utility-scale ground mounted PhotoVoltaic (PV) power plant. The construction process of the solar project started in August and the project is set to change the face of energy generation in rural areas. The project site is located in Omburu near Omaruru.
The 4.5 megawatt (MW) renewable energy power plant will contribute about 1% to Namibia’s domestic power generation capacity. It will also supply carbon free electricity to NamPower.
Managing Director of NamPower, Paulinus Shilamba said, “We are proud of our choice to use InnoSun as our partner in the construction of this photovoltaic power plant. They have an excellent track record within Africa and have proven a worthy and knowledgeable company able to fulfil one of NamPower’s main strategic imperatives which is to provide power to the nation.”

The PV plant “Omburu” will harness the sun’s irradiation allowing NamPower to ensure its stakeholders with security of supply and achieve its vision to innovate with technology. The Omburu PV plant will replace over 5,537 tons of carbon dioxide per year by generating 11,075 mWh of clean, reliable, responsible electricity per year that will feed into NamPower’s national grid for 25 years.
Grégoire Verhaeghe, Chief Executive Officer of InnoSun said, “We are honoured that NamPower and the Electricity Control Board have entrusted InnoSun to develop, finance and implement the first utility-scale photovoltaic power plant.
We are also very proud to be the first Independent Power Producer of Namibia and look forward to imparting our expertise and providing power solutions to Namibia.”
In December last year, Omburu Sun Energy signed a Power Purchase Agreement with NamPower. A groundbreaking ceremony is soon to be held where further details of the project will be shared with stakeholders.