18 Nov 2024
Baynes Dam Project to Deliver 600 MW of Clean Energy, Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Development
Namibia and Angola signed the Baynes Implementation Agreement on Monday, advancing the development of the Baynes Dam, a 600-megawatt hydropower project on the countries’ shared border. Construction is set to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with financial close targeted for 2026.
Namibian Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo confirmed the timeline, emphasizing the next step in the process.
“Our next milestone target is securing funding and achieving financial close by the end of 2026, followed by the commencement of dam construction in the first quarter of 2027,” Alweendo said.
Namibia has chosen a public funding model to finance the project, which includes the main dam, a regulating dam, and associated infrastructure such as roads. The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises will oversee fundraising efforts for these components.
The Namibian Cabinet approved the implementation of the bi-national Baynes Hydropower Project in July, clearing the way for initial infrastructure developments, including a road to the Baynes site. Construction of the road is scheduled to begin in September 2024.
Cabinet approval followed a June meeting between Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, and Alweendo. The meeting also led to the establishment of two management structures for the project: a Binational Implementation Unit and a Joint Project Office.
The Binational Implementation Unit will replace the existing Project Office and collaborate with the Permanent Joint Technical Commission on the Cunene Basin. The Joint Project Office, to be located in either Windhoek or Luanda, will coordinate efforts between the two nations.
The Baynes Hydroelectric Power Station, estimated to cost N$22 billion (US$1.2 billion), is expected to take six years to complete. The facility will provide 300 megawatts of electricity to each country upon completion.