Namdeb and Nampower partner up
Windfarm may be expanded to feed into the national grid
Diamond miner and national electricity utility look to maximize Kerbehuk for clean energy future
Namdeb’s Kerbehuk Wind Facility may be up-scaled and connected to the national Nampower grid.
Namdeb and NamPower have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaboration on the development and integration of renewable electricity projects into the national grid and Namdeb’s mining operations.
Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger and NamPower Managing Director, Kahenge S. Haulofu signed the MoU at the NamPower Head Office in Windhoek on 7 May 2025.
This milestone reaffirms Namdeb’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality and contribute meaningfully to national decarbonisation efforts, the diamond producer said.
The proposed Kerbehuk development site is located approximately 45 km north of Oranjemund within Mining License 43. There Namdeb is developing a 34 MW Wind Power Plant for which Namdeb will be the sole off-taker of the electricity generated.
Now, leveraging the capacity of both parties, an opportunity has been identified to potentially upscale the project and also connect it to the NamPower grid.
“This MoU signifies more than a partnership; it is a statement of intent to power progress, responsibly and sustainably,” said Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger.
“Our ambition to become carbon neutral is backed by tangible actions. We introduced Namibia’s first battery-electric bus in 2023 in an effort to start electrifying our vehicle fleet. Ultimately, we intend over time to electrify as many of our mobile equipment as possible with the objective of using renewable energy to power our fleet and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” he elaborated. “The Kerbehuk Wind Facility is a key milestone in this journey, with the potential to replace nearly half of our high carbon-intensity electricity.”
“NamPower’s objective to source at least 70% of energy from renewable energy by 2030 aligns well with Namdeb’s goal of becoming carbon neutral within the same time frame.
“Furthermore, collaboration with other partners and entities is a key pillar in NamPower’s strategy, and this project fulfils the utility’s aspirations of collaboration with partners in the energy sector.
“Namdeb has demonstrated innovation and transformational leadership in progressing towards a more sustainable future and we are proud to forward this national vision. This MOU will indeed pave the way for more partnerships,” NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu said.
Burger added that, “this collaboration with NamPower not only supports our operational goals but also strengthens Namibia’s energy independence and climate resilience.”
Namdeb, equally owned by the Government of Namibia and De Beers Group, continues to align its operations with national goals for industrialization, clean energy transition, and sustainable
development. The MoU marks a critical leap forward in securing a greener and more inclusive energy future for Namibia.
The 34 MW Kerbehuk Ridge wind farm is expected to supply Namdeb Diamond Corporation with renewable electricity at a cost of about N$1.327/kWh. In 2023 it was estimated that investment costs would amount to about N$922 million (US$51 million). The prospective wind turbines could range from around 3 MW to 6 MW units and each of them will stand 100 m to 125 m high. At that time Coetzee said more than 200 jobs would be created during the construction phase of the project.
Namdeb and NamPower have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate collaboration on the development and integration of renewable electricity projects into the national grid and Namdeb’s mining operations.
Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger and NamPower Managing Director, Kahenge S. Haulofu signed the MoU at the NamPower Head Office in Windhoek on 7 May 2025.
This milestone reaffirms Namdeb’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality and contribute meaningfully to national decarbonisation efforts, the diamond producer said.
The proposed Kerbehuk development site is located approximately 45 km north of Oranjemund within Mining License 43. There Namdeb is developing a 34 MW Wind Power Plant for which Namdeb will be the sole off-taker of the electricity generated.
Now, leveraging the capacity of both parties, an opportunity has been identified to potentially upscale the project and also connect it to the NamPower grid.
“This MoU signifies more than a partnership; it is a statement of intent to power progress, responsibly and sustainably,” said Namdeb CEO Riaan Burger.
“Our ambition to become carbon neutral is backed by tangible actions. We introduced Namibia’s first battery-electric bus in 2023 in an effort to start electrifying our vehicle fleet. Ultimately, we intend over time to electrify as many of our mobile equipment as possible with the objective of using renewable energy to power our fleet and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” he elaborated. “The Kerbehuk Wind Facility is a key milestone in this journey, with the potential to replace nearly half of our high carbon-intensity electricity.”
“NamPower’s objective to source at least 70% of energy from renewable energy by 2030 aligns well with Namdeb’s goal of becoming carbon neutral within the same time frame.
“Furthermore, collaboration with other partners and entities is a key pillar in NamPower’s strategy, and this project fulfils the utility’s aspirations of collaboration with partners in the energy sector.
“Namdeb has demonstrated innovation and transformational leadership in progressing towards a more sustainable future and we are proud to forward this national vision. This MOU will indeed pave the way for more partnerships,” NamPower managing director Kahenge Haulofu said.
Burger added that, “this collaboration with NamPower not only supports our operational goals but also strengthens Namibia’s energy independence and climate resilience.”
Namdeb, equally owned by the Government of Namibia and De Beers Group, continues to align its operations with national goals for industrialization, clean energy transition, and sustainable
development. The MoU marks a critical leap forward in securing a greener and more inclusive energy future for Namibia.
The 34 MW Kerbehuk Ridge wind farm is expected to supply Namdeb Diamond Corporation with renewable electricity at a cost of about N$1.327/kWh. In 2023 it was estimated that investment costs would amount to about N$922 million (US$51 million). The prospective wind turbines could range from around 3 MW to 6 MW units and each of them will stand 100 m to 125 m high. At that time Coetzee said more than 200 jobs would be created during the construction phase of the project.
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