Rudolf Gaiseb
The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) has motivated a proposed N$56.3 million for the development of the Baynes Hydro power Station. If approved, this budget is expected to enable electricity to flow through powerlines in both Angola and Namibia by 2031.
This means the Namibian government is expected to soon embark on a joint project with Angola to develop the power- generation infrastructure.
During his budget motivation last Wednesday, Natangwe Ithete, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said the long-awaited project is one of Namibia’s most strategic energy infrastructure undertakings with the potential to supply the country with ample clean, reliable electricity at prices that are far more stable and competitive than fossil fuels.
Through this project, the country aims to secure energy independence through a sustainable, long-term solution.
The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa states, the Baynes project involves the construction of a hydropower dam on the Cunene River, 48km downstream of the Epupa Falls.
The new dam will function as a mid-merit peaking station, which is expected to help offset costly power imports during peak hours. Its capacity is expected to be in the range of 600MW, which will be shared equally by Namibia and Angola.
During the wet season, the Baynes Power Station is predicted to run at full capacity, while during the dry season, the generators will generate at maximum capacity during peak periods only, with 71MW to be generated during the off-peak periods.
The proposed budget by the minister encompasses specific actions, including essential groundwork, technical studies, transmission planning, dam design and supporting infrastructure. Angola and Namibia signed the implementation agreement for the Baynes Binational Hydropower Project in November 2024.
The project had an initial cost estimate of US$1.2 billion (around N$22.6 billion). At the time, the MIME said the figure is expected to remain unchanged, although the final cost would depend on the outcomes of public tenders for contractors and lenders.
The project has been in development since a feasibility study was commissioned in 2008, with the study completed in 2014. A follow-up study initiated in 2021 was completed earlier last year, further solidifying plans for implementation.
The timeline for the project is that financial closure is anticipated by the last quarter of 2026, with the construction of the Baynes transmission powerline expected to take place from 2027 to 2030.