LüDERITZ – The Lüderitz Wind Power Demonstration Project and the Lüderitz Town Council last Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Presently the Lüderitz Wind Power Demonstration Project comprises of two wind turbines that generate 1.6Kw electricity on a daily basis. The power generated powers sewing machines for a community-run tailoring project at the town.
The MoU signed last Friday is intended to promote and develop the harnessing of wind power.
Ndakolonghoshi Mukapuli the project coordinator explained that the project is an initiative of the community of Lüderitz.
The project started in 2006, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Small Grants Program (SGP) to the tune of N$250 000.
Additional funds amounting to N$135 000 were sourced from Nedbank’s Go-Green Fund, which paid for training of the four women involved in the project and for sewing machines and textile material.
“In conjunction with the University of Namibia’s Multidisciplinary Research Centre, the Lüderitz Wind Power Demonstration Project has entered into a joint venture called the Benguela Wind Power Demonstration Project. This is the next phase of upgrading the project from its current 1.6Kw to 10Kw,” Mukapuli told a New Era stringer.
“The installation of new turbines has commenced on land donated by the town council and is to be completed by the end of the year,” he said.
The CEO of the Lüderitz Town Council, Aunie Gebhard, said the council supports the development of wind power and wants to utilise this abundant, natural energy resource to advance sustainable development and empower the community.
By Tuulikki Abraham