China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has announced its plans to construct the largest seawater desalination plant in Namibia, reports The Namibian.
This initiative will be a joint effort with NamWater, following approval from the Namibian government.
NamWater stated that the project will be financed by CGN's Namibian subsidiary, Swakop Uranium. As a result, NamWater will not need to raise the estimated N$2.5 billion to N$3 billion independently for the plant's construction.
CGN has confirmed that construction is set to begin this year, with the facility expected to be operational by the end of 2026. Once completed, the plant will produce up to 25 million cubic meters of water annually.
NamWater stated that the project will be financed by CGN's Namibian subsidiary, Swakop Uranium
The agreement was finalized following an announcement by Calle Schlettwein, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, that the government had approved the construction of a second desalination plant in the Erongo region. The plant, expected to produce between 20 and 25 million cubic meters of water, was greenlit in June of this year.
Listed as one of the significant projects under the China-Namibia Belt and Road Initiative, the desalination facility will help alleviate water shortages in Namibia, especially in the central and western coastal areas, according to Yicai. In addition to addressing water scarcity, the plant is expected to boost industrial sectors, including mining, and contribute to job creation and economic growth.
While the initial focus of the plant will be to meet the water needs of coastal regions, NamWater has indicated future plans to extend its reach to Windhoek and even Gaborone.
At present, the Erongo desalination plant, managed by Orano Mining Company, is the primary water supplier for Namibia's coastal regions.
CGN is already a key player in Namibia, with its Husab Mine being China’s largest investment in Africa. The Husab Mine, a uranium extraction project, contributed approximately 3.6%, or N$8.6 billion, to Namibia’s GDP last year. As the world’s third-largest producer of natural uranium, Namibia plays a vital role in global uranium exports.
Scheduled to be operational by early 2027, the plant will complement Namibia's existing desalination efforts to ensure a reliable water supply, supporting the country's economic growth and benefiting the wider Southern African region.
