Clean solar energy for NamibiaMore than sixty percent of Namibia's energy is imported from the South African energy pool, which is mainly supplied by fossil-fuel power plants. To reduce this dependence, the carbon offset project in Omaheke near the town of Gobabis in Namibia uses the sun as a climate-friendly energy source: The solar plants constructed in 2017 include 18,560 PV solar modules and have a total capacity of 12.064 MW. As a result, approximately 26.6 GWh of clean electricity is fed into the Namibian power grid annually. This sustainable power generation saves an average of about 26,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
In addition to reducing emissions and improving Namibia's energy self-sufficiency, the project is also having a positive impact on the local labor market. Since construction began, 30 jobs have been created, at least eight of which will be dedicated to the long-term operation and maintenance of the plant.
How does solar energy contribute to climate action?Although the development of renewable energy sources is increasing, energy from fossil fuels is still a significant part of energy production worldwide. This is associated with the release of large amounts of carbon emissions. The use of solar energy is a good way to provide people around the world with renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar installations, implemented through solar projects, convert sunlight into electricity (photovoltaic) or heat (solar thermal). Even when the sky is cloudy, the solar thermal power plants generate heat and convert it into electricity. Photovoltaic projects use the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into electricity.
The energy produced is typically fed into the national or regional power grid, reducing the share of fossil fuels in the electricity mix. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, solar projects also prevent the release of various pollutants associated with conventional power generation. Solar energy projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
