WALVIS BAY – Electricity distributor ErongoRED says it continues to expand electricity access across the Erongo region through ongoing electrification projects. The distributor’s chief executive officer, Immanuel !Hanabeb, while recently briefing the Erongo Regional Council on their operations, said that the combined urban and rural electrification rate stands at about 79%, with urban electrification at around 82%.
He said this reflects steady progress in extending access to electricity across towns and settlements.
Walvis Bay remains one of the highest-performing areas, with electrification levels estimated as high as 98% while other towns continue to record gradual improvements through ongoing infrastructure rollouts.
“We continue to align ourselves with national development priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan 6, where electricity has been identified as a key driver of industrial growth and economic transformation,” he said.
!Hanabeb also explained that several electrification projects are currently underway in areas including Harambe, DRC, Karibib and Usakos, targeting thousands of households through phased implementation.
He added that a discretionary contingency fund of about N$5 million per year continues to support small-scale electrification and community infrastructure projects, including schools, households and small business areas.
He noted that electrification projects valued at about N$67 million are currently being implemented, funded through a combination of government allocations and internal resources.
“We are also working with NamPower on upgrades in high-demand areas such as Karibib and Uis to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with rising consumption and developments,” he said.
He also told the council that the utilities’ finances have also seen a steady growth, with revenue increasing from about N$1.3 billion in 2021 to around N$1.7 billion.
Risks and challenges
Despite the gains in electrification and financial performance, the utility continues to face operational and structural challenges affecting service delivery and expansion.
!Hanabeb said copper theft remains one of the most persistent risks, costing the utility about N$5 million per annum and disrupting maintenance and network stability.