NAMIBIA – Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), a commercial and industrial (C&I) solar developer, in collaboration with Namibian partners Fortitude and the Oelofse family, has unveiled plans for the development of a 10MW solar plant designed to power B2Gold’s Otjikoto Mine.
SPS asserts that this groundbreaking initiative will be the first wheeling project implemented under NamPower’s Modified Single Buyer (MSB) framework, generating approximately 26,360 MWh of clean, renewable energy annually.
Crucially, the solar plant will not be directly linked to B2Gold’s electricity meter. Instead, it will connect at a distinct location on NamPower’s grid, with the clean energy produced by the solar facility allocated or ‘wheeled’ to B2Gold’s mine.
NamPower’s MSB framework empowers Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to generate and sell electricity directly to regional electricity distributors, significant industrial and mining entities, as well as municipalities.
This framework represents a marked improvement over the previous single-buyer model, where electricity output was confined solely to NamPower.
Francois van Themaat, CEO of SPS, expressed gratitude, stating, “We are thrilled to be developing this innovative project for B2Gold with our Namibian partners – Fortitude and the Oelofse family. I want to thank NamPower and the ECB for their investor-friendly approach and for their assistance in making this project a reality.”
B2Gold, the premier gold producer in Namibia, with an anticipated gold output of 200,000 ounces in 2023 and a workforce of 976 employees, seeks to make its Otjikoto gold mine one of Namibia’s most environmentally conscious mining operations.
Through the implementation of the solar plant, the mine aims to offset approximately 26,360 tonnes of CO2 annually, aligning with B2Gold’s climate strategy, which aims to achieve a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and progress towards a net-zero operation at the Otjikoto mine.
John Roos, Country Manager of B2Gold Namibia, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are elated about the prospects of this collaboration with SPS, Fortitude, and the Oelofse Family. This solar project embodies our unwavering commitment to sustainable mining practices.”
SPS emphasized that Namibia’s investor-friendly approach and open regulatory environment provided an enabling backdrop for the project.
Moreover, it was noted that the initiative would contribute to an increased penetration of renewable energy in the country, reducing dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels.
Namibia’s MSB framework mirrors energy wheeling frameworks, where electricity is generated at a specific grid point and distributed to other significant consumers via the utility’s network.
This initiative aims to ensure effective electricity provision, foster competitiveness in the electricity industry, and encourage private sector investments in the sector.
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