Years after it was designed with expansion in mind, the Rosh Pinah Solar Park is entering its next phase, with construction underway on an 11 MWp expansion that will significantly lift renewable energy supply to the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine following financing approval from the Development Bank of Namibia.
Emesco originally developed the Rosh Pinah Solar Park as an embedded renewable energy project to supply electricity directly to the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine.
Commissioned in 2022, the first phase of the project delivered 5.4 MWp of installed capacity under a long-term offtake arrangement structured within Namibia’s Modified Single Buyer framework.
From its inception, the facility was designed with expansion in mind to support the mine’s RP 2.0 redevelopment programme, improve energy security and reduce reliance on grid power.
The expansion builds on the existing 5.4 MWp solar facility, which Emesco developed as the first phase of a longer-term strategy to support the mine’s RP 2.0 expansion programme.
From inception, the solar park was planned as a scalable energy asset that could grow in line with the mine’s operational requirements. This vision is now being realised as the second phase moves into construction.
Emesco continues to operate and maintain the initial phase of the solar park and is managing the expansion as the engineering, procurement and construction manager.
The company developed the project under Namibia’s Modified Single Buyer framework, supplying electricity directly to the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine under a long-term offtake arrangement that reduces reliance on grid power and improves energy cost certainty.
Once the 11 MWp expansion is completed, total installed capacity at the Rosh Pinah Solar Park will increase to about 16.3 MWp.
The expanded facility is expected to supply roughly 30 per cent of the mine’s annual electricity requirements under the RP 2.0 development, supporting increased production while lowering operating costs and carbon intensity.
Financing for the second phase has been secured from the Development Bank of Namibia, which approved funding of about N$164 million for the expansion.
The bank had previously invested N$58 million in the first phase of the project in 2022, underscoring its continued support for infrastructure that strengthens Namibia’s productive sectors and advances renewable energy deployment.
The Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine, located in the //Kharas Region near the Namibian–South African border, is one of the country’s longest-operating base metal mines.
The RP 2.0 redevelopment programme is designed to extend the mine’s life and lift output through underground mine expansion, processing plant upgrades and associated infrastructure, making secure and affordable power a critical input to the project’s success.
Beyond its role in supplying the mine, the expanded solar park is also expected to ease pressure on the regional electricity network, with potential benefits for the nearby RoshSkor township.
The project reflects a broader shift within Namibia’s mining sector toward embedded generation as operators seek to improve energy security and align operations with environmental, social and governance objectives.
Construction of the second phase is expected to continue through 2026, with commissioning targeted for completion upon installation and testing.
When operational, the expanded Rosh Pinah Solar Park will stand among the larger mine-linked solar installations in southern Namibia, reinforcing renewable energy as a core component of the country’s industrial future.
What began as a 5.4 MWp pilot has now evolved into a multi-phase energy asset closely tied to the long-term trajectory of the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine.
With financing secured, construction underway and Emesco retaining stewardship across both phases, the expansion marks the realisation of an original vision to deliver scalable, reliable renewable power in support of one of Namibia’s most important mining operations.
Emesco is a Namibian-based energy and infrastructure company specialising in the development, financing, operation and maintenance of embedded and utility-scale renewable energy projects.
The company has built a strong track record delivering solar power solutions for industrial and mining clients under Namibia’s Modified Single Buyer framework, focusing on improving energy security, cost efficiency and sustainability for large energy users.
Emesco remains actively involved across the full project lifecycle, from development and EPCM through to long-term operations and maintenance.
