• The 20 MWp solar PV plant will be the first fully merchant independent power producer trading all of its renewable power on the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)

• The plant, located in Namibia, is the first of several merchant power plants under development by Solarcentury Africa in the region which will help address the sizeable energy deficit that is currently impacting the region

• Funding for the project is being provided by Solarcentury Africa with the support of its parent company, leading international energy trading group BB Energy

• All agreements have now been signed and the project will enter the construction phase straight away, with commissioning due in Q3 2025

London, UK / Windhoek, Namibia – Solarcentury Africa Limited (Solarcentury Africa) and their local partners, Sino Energy (Pty) Limited (Sino Energy) are pleased to announce that they have reached financial close on a groundbreaking 20 MWp solar PV plant, located in Namibia.

The project will be the first fully merchant independent power producer trading all of its renewable energy on the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). This plant will help meet the region’s growing power needs, without demanding long term Power Purchase Agreements and marks an exciting new chapter in Solarcentury Africa’s plan to become a power trader in Southern Africa.

The project will be wholly owned by Solarcentury Africa and is being fully funded by the company. The plant is scheduled for commissioning in Q3 2025 and the power generated will be sold by Solarcentury Africa’s trading arm Solarcentury Trading, a member of the SAPP. Sino Energy acted as co-developer on the project.

Jason De Carteret, CEO of Solarcentury Africa, commented, “This trading project is a significant milestone not only for Namibia, but the entire Southern African region, offering a forward-looking alternative to the traditional energy procurement model. The fully merchant structure means Solarcentury Africa will trade directly into the regional grid and removes the requirement for long- term PPA’s backed by sovereign guarantees, enabling faster implementation of new renewable power plants with greater flexibility. We would like to thank our local partner Sino Energy and all of the Namibian entities that helped made this possible and we look forward to delivering clean, sustainable power to the region.”

Ferdinand Nghiyolwa of Sino Energy added, “This project demonstrates Namibia’s commitment to renewable energy, opens the door for future merchant solar projects across the region and proving the viability of the SAPP market. We are proud to have been a close partner of Solarcentury Africa in delivering this innovative energy solution.”

The plant will add much-needed generation capacity to the Southern African region generating 51 GWh and offsetting 8600¹ tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The project represents a substantial investment of approximately US$20 million, making it one of the largest British investments in Namibia to date. Leading Namibian EPC contractor Alensy Energy Solutions Pty Limited has been appointed to build the plant providing more than 150 local jobs. The plant is situated between Otjiwarongo and Outjo, in the Otjozondjupa region, where it connects into the NamPower Gerus substation and the main North-South transmission network.

The project has benefited from an enabling sector environment and has already secured a generation license from Namibia’s Electricity Control Board (ECB), connection agreements from the utility NamPower, and an Environmental Clearance Certificate from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment. It also benefits from the backing of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).

While the plant expects to sell all its power on SAPP, it will also have the option to sell power within Namibia to contestable customers (such as large mining and industrial operations) under the new Modified Single Buyer (MSB) rules which provide added flexibility to meet both regional and local energy needs.

The success of this project sets the stage for future merchant projects in the region, offering a viable alternative to traditional long-term utility PPAs that require sovereign guarantees. Solarcentury Africa is already in advanced stages of development for its next merchant projects located in Zambia, Botswana and more in Namibia.

About Solarcentury Africa

Solarcentury Africa is a leading renewable energy developer with over a decade of experience delivering solar PV and energy storage projects across Africa. The company, headquartered in the UK, specializes in utilizing smart energy technologies to provide clean, reliable power to businesses, investors, and communities. Solarcentury Africa is part of the BB Energy Group.

About BB Energy

BB Energy, founded in the 1960s, is one of the world’s leading independent energy trading companies. With key trading hubs in London, Brussels, Dubai, Geneva Houston, and Singapore, BB Energy employs around 500 people worldwide. The company’s growing renewable energy division plays a pivotal role in reducing global emissions.

About Sino Energy (Pty) Ltd

Sino Energy, a 100% Namibian-owned company, has been active in renewable energy development since 2015. With expertise in the planning, design, construction, and operation of solar PV projects, Sino Energy is dedicated to advancing renewable energy infrastructure in Namibia and beyond

¹ Based on an average of 0.17kgCO2/kWh for electricity generation in Namibia