Commencing in April 2015, the interim Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) scheme: was designed as a pilot programme to increase generation from non-hydro sources. REFIT tariffs were initially set at quite generous levels and targeted solar PV, wind, and biomass projects of 500 kW to 5 MW capacity. The tariff prices were revised prior to projects being awarded partly because of price levels in a similar programme in neighbouring South Africa (the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme). Final feed-in tariffs ranged from USD0.078/kWh for onshore wind to USD0.099/kWh for solar PV. These were indexed to inflation.
Initially, 27 projects were granted provisional licences by the Electricity Control Board in the period leading up to the launch of the feed-in tariff programme. However, these failed to advance to financial close in the absence of a structured procurement programme. These projects were all invited to participate in the REFIT Programme and were given six months to submit all required documents. Fourteen projects (totalling 70 MW) were selected on a “first come, first meeting the requirements” basis. They then had six months to achieve the power purchase agreement effective date with Namibia's national power utility and a further 12 months to reach the commercial operation date. The remaining independent power producers were placed on a waiting list. The REFIT process therefore effectively became a race to the finish line, which helps to explain the rapid development of these projects.
In 2016, 14 REFIT projects (5 MW each), totalling 70 MW and more than US$123 million worth of private investment, reached financial close. All 14 REFIT projects reached their power purchase agreement milestones and 13 reached commercial operation date by the required date.

Policy Impact

Level: TBD
Evaluation: ex-post
Indicator: In 2016, 14 REFIT projects (5 MW each), totalling 70 MW and more than US$123 million worth of private investment, reached financial close. All 14 REFIT projects reached their power purchase agreement milestones and 13 reached commercial operation date by the required date.

Policy Decision

Pro-active

Policy Origin

N/A

Type of Policy

Economic instruments - Market based instruments

Enforcement Level

N/A

Institutional requirement

N/A

Sectoral Coverage

Energy

Jurisdiction

National

Target Group(s)

N/A

Status

N/A

Monitoring & evaluation

N/A

Started implementation On

1

Ended implementation On

n.d.

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