Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), in partnership with B2Gold Namibia, the Oelofse family, and Fortitude, has commissioned Namibia’s first solar wheeling project under NamPower’s Modified Single Buyer (MSB) Programme. The initiative enables independent power producers (IPPs) to supply electricity directly to large private consumers via the national grid, marking a significant milestone for renewable energy deployment in the country.
The 10 MW Maxwell Solar Plant, situated on Maxwell Farm about 50 km north of Otjiwarongo, is now supplying renewable electricity to B2Gold’s Otjikoto Gold Mine, located 20 km away. SPS, a developer and operator of solar PV and battery storage projects across sub-Saharan Africa, funded and manages the project.
Francois van Themaat, SPS co-founder and director, said the successful commissioning demonstrates the practicality of solar wheeling under the MSB framework and highlights how collaboration between private energy producers, corporate offtakers, and NamPower can accelerate the country’s energy transition.
B2Gold, Namibia’s largest gold producer, has been progressively shifting towards cleaner energy since 2015. Its existing 7 MW on-site solar plant, commissioned in 2018, previously supplied 13% of the Otjikoto Mine’s electricity. With the addition of the Maxwell Solar Plant, the mine expects a significantly higher proportion of its energy needs to be met through renewable sources.
John Roos, B2Gold Namibia Country Manager, underscored the company’s commitment to renewable-powered mining and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. He described the partnership with SPS under the MSB framework as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for the mining sector.
The Oelofse family, landowners and co-investors, highlighted how the solar project aligns with their long-term conservation objectives, while Fortitude, acting as property developer, facilitated the collaboration between all parties.
The Maxwell Solar Plant was developed prior to the finalization of the MSB regulatory framework, requiring extensive engagement with NamPower and Namibia’s Electricity Control Board to establish a workable model. SPS agreed to an eight-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), shorter than the conventional 20–25 years, to align with the Otjikoto mine’s life-of-mine plan.
SPS has confirmed plans to expand the plant’s capacity and introduce battery storage to further enhance energy reliability and grid stability.
