Baynes is a joint Angola-Namibia hydropower project on the Cunene River. The planned 600 MW peaking power station and dam will provide electricity to both countries and strengthen the Southern African Power Pool.
The current AfDB advisory operation confirms a 600 MW joint Angola-Namibia development and supports preparation of the commercial, financial, legal and institutional arrangements required to advance the project.
The project will construct a hydropower dam and power station on the Cunene River at the Angola-Namibia border, downstream of the Epupa Falls. The station is planned with a capacity of approximately 600 MW, shared equally between Angola and Namibia, and will operate mainly as a mid-merit and peaking facility. The scheme includes the dam, reservoir, turbines, power station, switchyard, ancillary structures and transmission connections to the two national grids. Its operation will vary seasonally according to river flows and electricity demand.
Verified implementation and technical context: Baynes is governed through binational cooperation on the Cunene River and must be developed together with the transmission facilities needed to deliver each country's share of power. The AfDB advisory programme supports the two governments and utilities in defining a bankable structure, preparing the project for financing and coordinating the hydropower and transmission components. The plant is intended to provide flexible and peaking renewable generation that complements variable regional supply and reduces the need for expensive peak-period imports. The current official configuration is approximately 600 MW; older higher-capacity figures should not remain in the database without an approved design source.
Increase installed capacity of dispatchable renewable energy in Angola and Namibia by 881 MW (860 MW Main Dam + 21 MW Regulating Dam), with 50% allocated to each country; support the integration of variable renewable energy sources (solar, wind) into national grids by providing balancing and peaking capacity; enhance energy security through diversification of generation sources and reduction of dependence on electricity imports; integrate the Baynes Hydro Power plant into the Angola and Namibian transmission networks via a 400 kV interconnection; complete the regional power grid by interconnecting Angola to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) for the first time; increase access to electricity to communities in southern Angola and northern Namibia; enhance stability and reliability of the interconnected power system and security of power supply in both countries; reduce the current levels of power deficits in both countries; and support economic development and job creation during construction and operation phases.