Solarcentury's Gerus Plant Adds 19.3 MW to Namibia Grid
The 19.3 MW Gerus facility begins commercial operations in Namibia, selling power via the Southern African Power Pool to meet regional demand.
Key points
- Gerus is a 19.3 MW merchant solar plant in Namibia funded by $20 million from BB Energy.
- The facility generates 50.8 GWh annually, powering over 14,000 homes via the Southern African Power Pool.
- Solarcentury Africa targets 320 MW of merchant solar capacity across Africa by 2027.
Solarcentury Africa has commenced commercial operations at its 19.3-megawatt Gerus solar photovoltaic plant in Namibia’s Kunene region. The facility represents the largest United Kingdom-backed investment in Namibia’s clean energy sector, with approximately $20 million in funding provided by parent company BB Energy. This project marks a significant expansion for the developer, which previously launched the 25 MW Mailo plant in Zambia in July 2025.
Unlike utility-scale plants tied to fixed long-term power purchase agreements, Gerus is structured as a merchant project. Solarcentury Trading will market the electricity directly into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). This structure allows the company to sell power to utilities and large customers across the region, providing flexibility to address supply shortages and uneven distribution in the southern African market, as reported by Yahoo Finance.
Annual Output Targets Regional Demand
The Gerus facility is projected to generate 50.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. This output is sufficient to supply more than 14,000 homes within Namibia. By entering commercial operation, the plant adds to Namibia’s existing 1.49 GW of operating solar capacity, which is primarily concentrated in the commercial and industrial segments. An additional 33 MW of capacity is currently under construction in the country, indicating a continued expansion of the nation’s solar footprint.
Merchant Strategy Expands Across Africa
Gerus is only the second purpose-built merchant solar project in Africa to sell electricity through the SAPP. This business model differentiates Solarcentury from competitors relying on fixed contracts, enabling dynamic trading based on real-time market needs. The strategic focus on merchant sales aims to optimize revenue by directing power to areas with the highest demand and price volatility, rather than being locked into a single buyer.
Future Capacity Expansion Planned
Solarcentury Africa continues to develop its portfolio with a 34 MW second-phase expansion at the Mailo site in Zambia. The company has stated plans to develop, own, and operate more than 320 MW of fully merchant solar capacity by 2027. This growth trajectory relies on the company’s ability to secure funding and execute projects that integrate with regional power pools, supporting a more flexible and resilient energy grid.
