By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
In the wake of serious power shortages in the country and the region, NamPower says it is holding discussions with the mining industry on ways to boost the energy supply to the coastal areas within the next two years.
High demand for power is anticipated after the opening of four uranium mines in 2010.
Managing Director of NamPower, Paulinus Shilamba, says the power utility has been approached by a number of uranium explorers.
The national power utility is thus seeking ways to boost electricity supply in the identified mining areas.
Although uranium mining in the country would boost output by 10 percent of world production, energy constraints remain a key challenge in an already energy pressured Namibia.
Shilamba projects the power demand in the Erongo Region to go up by 250 megawatts in 2010 when some uranium mines open.
He said NamPower might have to upgrade the transmission lines from Omburu substation to the coastal towns.
The other option would be the installation of diesel generators to supplement power supply to the mining areas, Shilamba said.
Currently, Namibia is home to the Rǟ