Binational Angola-Namibia hydropower on Kunene River, situated 185 km downstream of Ruacana. CAPACITY UPDATED: 881 MW (increased from original 600 MW estimate; confirmed NamPower Chief Commercial Officer Fritz Jacobs, August 2025). Main Dam: 860 MW Francis Turbines; Regulating Dam: 21 MW S-type Kaplan. 50:50 Angola-Namibia split (440.5 MW each). Implementation Agreement signed and approved by both Angola and Namibia cabinets. July 8 2025: AfDB SEFA approved USD 800,000 preparatory grant for FEED and ESIA studies — advancing toward bankability and procurement readiness. EIA for regulating dam commissioned Q2 2025–Q2 2026. Road and grid access studies approved. PJTC and Baynes PIU coordinate implementation. NamPower (Namibia) and RNT (Angola) are implementing utilities. PJTC Co-Chairman Namibia: Simeon Negumbo (Executive Director of Energy). Next step: Award EPC contract and mobilise construction financing.
PIDA Code
E.30.11
Project Status
Active
Project Stage
Transaction Support & Financial Close
Completion Percentage
0
Sector Name
Energy
Subsector Name
Hydro Power Plant
Reference Plan
PIDA PAP 2
On SDM
Off
Summary
Structuring (S3A). CAPACITY: 881 MW (updated from 600 MW). AfDB SEFA USD 800K Jul 2025. Impl Agreement signed. EIA for regulating dam Q2 2025-Q2 2026. Next: EPC award.
Description
Capex Cost
1,300.00USD million
Preparation Cost
25.00
Revenue Model
Pari Passu revenue model with equal sharing between Angola and Namibia
Project Risk
Construction and forex risks; Tariff path uncertainty; Resettlement challenges; Environmental flow requirements on Kunene River
Countries
Angola, Namibia
REC
SADC
Stakeholders
Southern African Development Community
Start Date
Date Created Raw
Updated Date