Nopal Renewable Energy will be investing N$1.8 billion over the next three years in a cactus farm at Maltahöhe. This is the first project the company is embarking on in Africa.During a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, country partner Nicole Maske said the company imports the cacti from Portugal and started with the pilot site plantation last year, which was successful. “We will be planting on 500 hectares of land in the first phase, however, the plan is to expand accross the country for a total of 17 500 hectares,” said Maske. The first phase of the project will cost N$66 million. Maske added that the plant will work perfectly in Namibia’s current weather conditions as it does not require much water.