Solarcentury Africa has announced that its 19.3 MWp Gerus solar PV plant in Namibia has successfully reached commercial operation, marking what the company describes as another important milestone in the growth of competitive, market-driven renewable energy in Southern Africa.

The plant is now selling electricity into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), becoming the first merchant solar plant in Namibia to do so.

Second Merchant Solar Plant on SAPP

The achievement positions Gerus as only the second purpose-built merchant solar plant in Africa to trade electricity on the SAPP. The first was Solarcentury Africa's 25 MWp Mailo solar plant in Zambia, which entered commercial operation in July 2025.

Construction is already underway on the third such project, the 34 MWp Phase 2 expansion at Mailo, which is expected to reach commercial operation in the second quarter of 2026.

Rapid Delivery Through Local Partnerships

Gerus was developed in partnership with Sino Energy (Pty) Limited and was delivered following a rapid 12-month construction schedule.

The project represents, according to the company, a major step forward for competitive, market-based power generation in the region and further consolidates Solarcentury Africa's position as a leader in merchant renewable energy.

"We are incredibly proud to see Gerus reach commercial operation," said Jason de Carteret, CEO of Solarcentury Africa. "This project demonstrates what is possible through strong local partnerships, technical excellence, and a shared commitment to accelerating access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy across Southern Africa."

The Gerus solar plant is wholly owned by Solarcentury Africa. Funding for the project was provided by BB Energy, the independent energy trading group and parent company of Solarcentury Africa.

The electricity generated at Gerus will be sold by Solarcentury Trading, a member of the SAPP, underscoring what the company calls the strategic importance of trading-led power assets to the group's evolution.

Solarcentury Africa has extended thanks to its Namibian partners: Alensy Energy Solutions, which served as the EPC contractor; Sino Energy, the development partner; and Nexus, the land partner.

The company also acknowledged the support of NamPower, the Electricity Control Board of Namibia, and the Southern African Power Pool for their collaboration in delivering the project on schedule.

BB Energy Frames Gerus Within Its Transformation Strategy

The project carries significance beyond Namibia for the wider BB Energy Group.

Mohamed Bassatne, Group CEO of BB Energy, commented, "The transition to cleaner energy is a central pillar of our strategy and a defining element of BB Energy's transformation. Projects such as Gerus demonstrate how our capabilities in sourcing, trading, generating, transporting, and distributing energy globally can be applied to renewable energy markets."

"We firmly believe that the trading of electricity will be a key driver of the Group's future growth, strengthening our leadership position while supporting a faster, market-driven transition to cleaner energy. The establishment of our dedicated power trading team in Geneva earlier this year further underlines our long-term ambition in this space."

BB Energy, founded in the 1960s, is one of the world's leading independent energy trading groups, with major trading hubs in Houston, London, Geneva, Dubai, and Singapore and a presence in around 20 countries.

The Group employs approximately 420 people worldwide, and its expanding renewable energy activities form a core part of its long-term strategy to support the global energy transition while continuing to ensure efficient energy supply.

Jobs, Output, and Emissions Impact

The project's key metrics highlight both its economic and environmental footprint. During construction, Gerus created up to 275 jobs, with over 98 percent of those roles filled by Namibians, alongside what the company describes as significant skills transfer and training.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate approximately 50.8 GWh of clean electricity annually, which is enough, according to Solarcentury Africa, to power more than 14,000 Namibian homes.

The company estimates the plant will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 17,000 tonnes per year, which it equates to the annual carbon capture of approximately one million trees.

On the investment side, the project attracted around USD 20 million of international funding, which the company states represents the largest UK investment in Namibia's clean energy sector to date.

Pipeline: 320 MWp of Merchant Solar by 2027

Looking ahead, Solarcentury Africa reports that it is on track to develop, own, and operate more than 320 MWp of fully merchant solar capacity by 2027, supported by local partnerships and international investment.

Together with BB Energy, the company says these initiatives play a critical role in addressing regional energy deficits while accelerating the transition to sustainable, market-based power solutions.

Solarcentury Africa, headquartered in the UK, is a renewable energy developer with over a decade of experience delivering solar PV and energy storage projects across Africa.

The company specializes in smart energy technologies that deliver clean, reliable power to businesses, utilities, and communities and is part of the BB Energy Group.

With Gerus now operational, Solarcentury Africa's merchant solar portfolio across Southern Africa continues to expand, building on the Mailo plant in Zambia and the forthcoming Mailo Phase 2 expansion. The company has indicated that further updates on the project and its pipeline will follow.

Stay Ahead of Namibia's Power Expansion, Track Every Project Before It Breaks Ground

How much opportunity slips past you each quarter because a new power project in Namibia moved from planning to tender before you even knew it existed? From utility-scale solar farms to hydropower developments, the region's energy pipeline is expanding faster than ever.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research gives developers, EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and investors a real-time window into Namibia's power sector, every project stage, every stakeholder, and every contract. Instead of reacting to news that's already days or weeks old, you can see the pipeline as it forms.

Whether your strategy depends on identifying early-stage opportunities, monitoring competitors, or qualifying new markets across Namibian economies, the intelligence you need is already organized and waiting.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Book a Free Demo today and see how the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research can turn Namibia's power market intelligence into your competitive edge.