Solar powers youth and mining
Deputy minister of energy, Gaudentia Kröhne, officially broke ground for the construction of the Astra Farm 50MW solar power plant near Gobabis in the Omaheke Region last Friday.
“This 50MW solar park is not just a power plant; it is a symbol of transition, hope, collaboration and Namibia’s ambition to become a leader in renewable energy on the African continent,” the deputy minister said. Kröhne added: “We must continue to harness locally available resources for the benefit of all Namibians.”
At the event, Alex Nelis, CEO of TerraWatt Netherlands and Namibia, announced, “Fifty megawatts will be built in this field, with the ambition to add another 50 once this site is complete.”
He explained that while TerraWatt also builds solar projects in the Netherlands, land there is scarce and costly, with about 18 million people living in a country 24 times smaller than Namibia. “In this beautiful country, there is plenty of room,” Nelis said, noting that Namibia’s vast open spaces make ground-mounted solar installations far easier than rooftop or offshore systems.
Nelis described the Astra project as “the beginning of a lasting commitment to operational excellence, maximising local benefits, and ensuring environmentally responsible stewardship. Let us work together to expand renewable energy and ensure the benefits of the energy transition are widely shared.”
Rhys Mbala of Trinitas Consulting Engineers outlined the project’s progress, confirming that the environmental clearance process has been completed and approvals secured from the Electricity Control Board and NamPower for the power purchase agreement and feasibility study to connect the plant to the national grid.
Electricity generated at Astra Farm will power a new rare earth mineral mine near Katima Mulilo. Clarina Dias, founder of Zita Dias Diamond Resources Company, which announced high concentrations of critical minerals in the Zambezi Region last year, attended the ceremony.
Mbala explained that the plant will initially consist of 71 429 panels, each capable of generating up to 70 watts of electricity. Eleven central inverters, each with a capacity of 4.6MW, will feed into a substation with a switching system and meter to facilitate energy wheeling and measure system outputs.
At the same occasion, Nelis highlighted TerraWatt’s commitment to quality, noting that Scope 2 certification for safe solar installation will be applied locally, making Namibia the first country in Africa to adopt this standard.
He also reaffirmed the company’s support for youth empowerment through its ongoing partnership with Youth4 Purpose. Founder Olivia Namkomba praised the collaboration, which began when her Otjiwarongo-based initiative was known as Young Africa Namibia.
TerraWatt first partnered with the organisation in June 2023 to support training for young people in renewable energy skills. On Friday, the company presented Youth4 Purpose and Namkomba with N$200 000 to further their partnership. “We will put this money to good use,” Namkomba said.
“This 50MW solar park is not just a power plant; it is a symbol of transition, hope, collaboration and Namibia’s ambition to become a leader in renewable energy on the African continent,” the deputy minister said. Kröhne added: “We must continue to harness locally available resources for the benefit of all Namibians.”
At the event, Alex Nelis, CEO of TerraWatt Netherlands and Namibia, announced, “Fifty megawatts will be built in this field, with the ambition to add another 50 once this site is complete.”
He explained that while TerraWatt also builds solar projects in the Netherlands, land there is scarce and costly, with about 18 million people living in a country 24 times smaller than Namibia. “In this beautiful country, there is plenty of room,” Nelis said, noting that Namibia’s vast open spaces make ground-mounted solar installations far easier than rooftop or offshore systems.
Nelis described the Astra project as “the beginning of a lasting commitment to operational excellence, maximising local benefits, and ensuring environmentally responsible stewardship. Let us work together to expand renewable energy and ensure the benefits of the energy transition are widely shared.”
Rhys Mbala of Trinitas Consulting Engineers outlined the project’s progress, confirming that the environmental clearance process has been completed and approvals secured from the Electricity Control Board and NamPower for the power purchase agreement and feasibility study to connect the plant to the national grid.
Electricity generated at Astra Farm will power a new rare earth mineral mine near Katima Mulilo. Clarina Dias, founder of Zita Dias Diamond Resources Company, which announced high concentrations of critical minerals in the Zambezi Region last year, attended the ceremony.
Mbala explained that the plant will initially consist of 71 429 panels, each capable of generating up to 70 watts of electricity. Eleven central inverters, each with a capacity of 4.6MW, will feed into a substation with a switching system and meter to facilitate energy wheeling and measure system outputs.
At the same occasion, Nelis highlighted TerraWatt’s commitment to quality, noting that Scope 2 certification for safe solar installation will be applied locally, making Namibia the first country in Africa to adopt this standard.
He also reaffirmed the company’s support for youth empowerment through its ongoing partnership with Youth4 Purpose. Founder Olivia Namkomba praised the collaboration, which began when her Otjiwarongo-based initiative was known as Young Africa Namibia.
TerraWatt first partnered with the organisation in June 2023 to support training for young people in renewable energy skills. On Friday, the company presented Youth4 Purpose and Namkomba with N$200 000 to further their partnership. “We will put this money to good use,” Namkomba said.
