Alten’s 45.45MW Namibian solar plant ready to go live

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Alten was chosen by NamPower to build the 45.45MW project at a tender over two years ago (Credit: Alten Energías Renovables)

One of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest reported PV plants is ready to be powered up some 230 kilometres south of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital.

Spanish IPP Alten Energías Renovables anticipated this week the imminent commissioning of a 45.45MW project in the municipality of Mariental, in Namibia’s Hardap region.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The firm was selected for the project more than two years, when it prevailed over 12 other bidding developers at a tender by state-run utility NamPower.

The project features crystalline silicon panels, as well as single-axis trackers from Soltec. Astronergy and Gamesa supplied the project with 325Wp modules and 2.5MVA inverters, respectively.

Designed with a 25-year lifespan, the project was as of last March co-owned between Alten Africa (51% stake), NamPower (19%) and a group of women-led local investors (30%).

The installation was said last year to have required around US$70 million in investment, with funding provided by the South African Standard Bank and a subsidiary of French development financier AFP.

The PV project is being touted by its promoters as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest and one of the world’s most efficient, thanks to Namibia’s solid irradiation levels.

The plant was conceived to cover the electricity needs of 70,000 people, around 3% of Namibia’s population. The country boasts high electrification rates but heavily relies on energy imports, Alten noted.

The project is the latest to make strides in the African state. In the last 18 months alone, Canadian Solar’s 6MW project, a PV-HFO hybrid, solar heaters and C&I systems have all marked progress.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
Spanish renewables developer and operator Acciona Energía has commissioned its 412MWp Juna solar PV plant in Kawani village in the western state of Rajasthan. 
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
QatarEnergy has signed an EPC agreement with Samsung C&T for its 2GW Dukhan project. 
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.
September 16, 2025
Sunotec has launched Sunotec Nordic to spearhead solar and hybrid renewable project development across the Nordic region.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA