N$4 mil Solar Centre, new chapter in Windhoek–Berlin partnership
Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona on Monday announced that the City secured €212 750 (approximately N$4.3 million) in grant funding for the establishment of the Solar Centre, as the capital officially inaugurated the facility aimed at expanding energy access and advancing renewable solutions.
“Today’s event is yet another tangible outcome of the partnership,” Uunona said, referring to the long-standing cooperation between Windhoek and Berlin. He added that the Council approved the funding in 2025 for the project titled the establishment of a Solar Centre for Windhoek.
He further revealed that additional funding “valued at approximately €2 million” had been allocated towards the renovation of the facility, whose inauguration was witnessed on Monday.
Despite the milestone, Uunona acknowledged persistent inequalities in access to electricity across the city. “While Windhoek continues to grow and develop as a Namibian capital city, we must remain mindful of the realities facing many of our residents,” he said. “A number of community members still do not have access to electricity… and patiently wait for the municipality to extend power infrastructures to their homes.”
Berlin State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Michael Biel, described the project as a symbol of cooperation and a practical step towards sustainable development. “Today’s event is not only about opening a building, it’s about opening new possibilities for cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development,” he said. “And it is also a moment that celebrates the long-standing partnership between our two cities, Windhoek and Berlin.”
Biel said the Solar Centre emerged from years of collaboration, including a 2023 visit by Namibian delegates to Berlin, which “initiated the spark” for the project. “And now, after a successful proposal, a lot of planning, talks, and dialogues, we are standing here today together to celebrate this great moment of joy,” he said.
Highlighting Namibia’s solar potential, Biel noted that the country enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine annually. “The sun shines here more than 300 days a year, offering a tremendous natural advantage,” he said. “Namibia is therefore uniquely well-positioned to harness solar energy as a sustainable and resilient solution for its future energy supply.”
He said the centre would serve as a hub for education, advisory services, and investment in renewable energy. “This centre will serve as a public space for information, consultation, and innovation. It will help households understand how solar systems work. It will help businesses explore opportunities for renewable energy investment,” Biel said.
He added that the initiative also carries a strong social dimension. “For many families living in informal settlements or vulnerable conditions, access to safe and reliable electricity can dramatically improve the quality of their lives,” he said. “It can reduce reliance on unsafe and polluting energy sources, improve safety in homes, and create opportunities for education and economic activity.”
The Solar Centre is expected to connect communities, financial institutions, and technical experts, providing reliable guidance on solar solutions while supporting a more inclusive energy transition.
Biel stressed that the project reflects evolving development cooperation. “Development cooperation is no longer giving expertise or money from the global north to the global south because partnerships like this are never one-directional,” he said. “It is a mutual learning and sharing process built on trust.”
The center is said to be up and running next month.
