Rosh Pinah is entering a new phase of industrial growth, and its energy needs are rising just as quickly.
This week, the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) approved N$164 million to co-fund Phase Two of the Rosh Pinah Solar Park.
This renewable project is set to double its generation capacity and directly support the mine’s large-scale RP2.0 expansion.
The solar park, located just outside the town, was first developed to stabilise power supply for the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine and reduce dependence on the national grid, which remains vulnerable to imports and price fluctuations.
Phase One, built in 2022 with N$58 million from DBN and private partners, delivered 5.4 MWp of generation capacity through a ground-mounted photovoltaic system designed to supply about 10 per cent of the mine’s daytime demand.
The plant uses single-axis tracking technology to maximise solar exposure and now feeds clean electricity directly into the mine’s internal power network.
Phase Two significantly scales up this infrastructure.
The new 11 MWp expansion will include additional tracker-mounted panels, upgraded inverters, expanded transmission lines and new control systems to integrate seamlessly into both the mine’s power reticulation and the RoshSkor Township distribution grid.
When completed, the combined 16.4 MWp facility will be one of the largest privately supported solar installations in Namibia, capable of supplying up to 30 per cent of the mine’s annual energy consumption and a similar share of power to town residents.
DBN Chief Executive Titus Ndove said the project reflects the bank’s commitment to financing transformative national infrastructure.
He said that by enabling clean and reliable power for industrial growth and community development, the bank is accelerating Namibia’s transition to sustainable energy while unlocking long-term economic value.
The solar park is also strategically important for reducing diesel back-up use and lowering carbon intensity at a time when mining companies are under pressure to meet global ESG expectations.
For Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, renewable energy is not only a cost stabiliser but also a licensing and market advantage as zinc smelters and end users demand cleaner supply chains.
The need for expanded power is driven almost entirely by RP2.0, the mine’s major expansion programme now progressing steadily.
RP2.0 aims to nearly double ore throughput from 0.7 million to 1.3 million tonnes per year, positioning the mine as one of Namibia’s most efficient zinc producers.
Over the past year, engineering, design and environmental approvals have been completed, and procurement of key long-lead equipment is underway. Groundworks and civil preparations are progressing, and underground development is being intensified to ensure higher-grade ore will feed the expanded plant once production ramps up.
Contractors and construction teams are being mobilised for the 2025 build phase, supported by secured financing.
Expanded production is expected to begin in early to mid-2026, aligning with the solar park’s scheduled commissioning.
Together, the growth of RP2.0 and the doubling of renewable generation mark a new industrial chapter for the Kharas Region.
The synergy between the mine and the solar park is deliberate: the mine requires more power to unlock higher throughput, while the solar park ensures this growth is supported by cleaner, more reliable energy.
Rosh Pinah’s future, once dependent on a single ageing operation, is now increasingly shaped by strategic investment, modernisation and a transition toward sustainable production.
