Namdeb, the 50-50 diamond mining joint venture between the De Beers Group and the Namibian Government, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with power utility NamPower, to facilitate collaboration on the development and integration of renewable electricity projects into Namdeb’s mining operations and the Namibian national grid.
The MoU was signed by Namdeb Chief Executive Officer Riaan Burger and NamPower Managing Director Kahenge Simson Haulofu in Windhoek.
The proposed development site is located in Kerbehuk, approximately 45km north of Oranjemund, where Namdeb is developing a 34MW Wind Power Plant, with Namdeb being the sole off-taker of the electricity generated. Building on the capacity of both parties, an opportunity has been identified to potentially upscale the project and connect it to the NamPower grid.
Riaan Burger, CEO of Namdeb, said the MoU with NamPower signifies more than a partnership.
“It is a statement of intent to power progress – responsibly and sustainably. Our focus on climate is backed by tangible actions. We introduced Namibia’s first battery-electric bus in 2023 to start electrifying our vehicle fleet. Ultimately, we intend to electrify as much of our mobile equipment as possible so that our fleet operates on renewable energy,” he said.
Burger said the Kerbehuk Wind Facility is a key milestone in this journey with the potential to enable the use of renewable energy for nearly half of our electricity needs. He said Namdeb was proud that the collaboration with NamPower not only supports its operational goals but also strengthens Namibia’s energy independence and climate resilience.
Al Cook, CEO of the De Beers Group, said: “Today’s consumers want to know that the diamonds they wear are sustainable. This MoU with NamPower is a major step towards our ‘Building Forever’ ambition to become carbon neutral. Namibia is already at the forefront of Africa’s energy transition, and I am delighted that the new wind farm would bring clean power not just to our own operations but to communities across the country.”
NamPower MD Haulofu said the utility’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 timeframe.
“Furthermore, collaboration with other partners and entities is a key pillar in NamPower’s strategy. This project fulfils the utilities’ aspirations of collaboration with partners in the energy sector. Namdeb has demonstrated innovation and transformational leadership in progressing towards a more sustainable future. We are proud to forward this national vision. This agreement will indeed pave the way for more partnerships,” said the NamPower MD.
The heart of Namdeb’s operations currently take place along the southwest coast of Namibia with land-based operations in Oranjemund and satellite mines near Lüderitz and along the Orange River.
Namdeb employs several types of innovative mining techniques to extract diamonds from alluvial deposits of ore bodies.
