By Wezi Tjaronda
WINDHOEK
Three Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency information platforms have been dispatched to various areas in the south, west and north of the country to raise awareness of alternative energy sources in Namibia.
The platforms, contained in three trailers, custom-made for this purpose, were dispatched from Windhoek yesterday.
Desert Research Foundation Namibia’s (DRFN) Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capacity (REEECAP), is a Danida-funded project implemented by the Ministry of Mines and Energy through the Polytechnic’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Institute in partnership with the Habitat Research and Development Centre and the Desert Research Foundation Namibia (DRFN).
The platform has two renewable energies, namely: solar panel and wind generator producing electricity, which is stored in batteries. They are each fitted with a computer, solar box cooker, solar parabolic cooker, vesto stove and tsotso stove.
The accompanying facilitators will demonstrate the use of energy by normal or conventional bulbs and how much energy use decreases when energy efficient bulbs, for instance, are used.
Alongside the information platforms, the project will also carry out a baseline survey on the type of energy people in rural and urban areas use and the energy consumption levels of different electricity apparatus.
“The baseline survey will collect data and see how much energy is used,” said DRFN’s floater, Dr Patrick Klintenberg, on Friday.
He said this was the biggest promotional demonstration ever made in Namibia, which has targeted between 40 and 45 communities.
Expectations of the month-long demonstrations that will end around mid-July are that both electrified and non-electrified areas will become aware of the alternative energy sources and technologies that are available in Namibia.
“When people without electricity get hold of renewable energy technologies, they will not have to travel long distances to charge their cell phones, for instance,” said Klintenberg.
REEECAP project manager, Caroline Coulson, added that Namibia has many other alternatives which people should know about and which would make them change their attitudes.
The demonstrations are also expected to lead to an increased demand for REs and to enable the project to follow up on requests for the renewable energy technologies. This will be in the form of giving people the names of companies they can contact for RET technologies, their prices and loan possibilities, among others, for them to know that it is feasible to pay for them.
These platforms follow demonstrations were carried out in a number of towns earlier this year. Arnold //Gaseb, who was involved with the first information platform, said people know little about renewable energies and energy efficiency.
//Gaseb said the first platform generated a lot of interest among communities, which should be followed up.
Officials in different ministries, especially in middle management, have also made requests for demonstrations, said //Gaseb.
“I hope many people can become aware of this. We will visit all the areas and leave out no one,” he added.
The first platform was taken to many areas including Okondjatu, Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Gobabis, Khorixas, Tsumkwe, Otjiwarongo, Ongwediva, Grootberg, Ovitoto and Rundu.
REEECAP comprises over 20 projects that focus on the rural, urban and institutional sectors of Namibia.